The 25th meeting of the Federal Committee on Agriculture (FCA) was held under the chairmanship of Minister of State for National Food Security and Research Malik Rasheed Ahmed Khan. The meeting was attended by provincial secretaries of agriculture, senior officials from the federal and provincial departments, and representatives of relevant organizations.
In his opening remarks, the Minister of State welcomed all participants who had travelled from across the country to take part in discussions of national importance. He stated that the Federal Committee on Agriculture serves as an essential platform where the federation and provinces engage in collective decision-making for sustainable agricultural development and food security.
The Minister emphasized that achieving food security requires enhancing per-acre yield and ensuring efficient utilization of available resources. He highlighted the immense potential in Pakistan’s agriculture, livestock, and fisheries sectors and stressed the need to adopt modern agricultural technologies and develop effective marketing systems linked to both domestic and international markets. He underlined that open trade policies and reduced trade barriers were vital to strengthening the agricultural economy.
Addressing the challenges posed by recent floods in Punjab, the Minister informed that the federal and provincial governments were jointly assessing damages and working on rehabilitation measures for affected farmers. He appreciated the efforts of research institutions developing climate-resilient crop varieties to mitigate future risks caused by climate change.
Malik Rasheed Ahmed Khan remarked that the government is committed to making agriculture a profitable and sustainable source of livelihood. To achieve this, the government has been ensuring the provision of agricultural inputs at subsidized rates, increasing the import limit for quality seeds, and introducing a Bio-Pesticide Regulatory Framework to promote safe pest control and compliance with international export standards.
He further informed that the National Seed Policy and Biotechnology Policy are in their final stages of approval. These policies aim to promote the use of certified seeds, strengthen public-private partnerships, and encourage biotechnology-based innovations for sustainable agricultural productivity.
Under the Prime Minister’s Economic Transformation Agenda, the Ministry, in collaboration with provincial governments and the Green Pakistan Initiative, has formulated a comprehensive roadmap for the revival and modernization of the agriculture sector. The roadmap includes measures for mechanization, seed reforms, cotton revival, value addition, financial inclusion, and enhanced agricultural exports.
Highlighting institutional reforms, the Minister said that the government has established the National Agri Trade and Food Safety Authority to harmonize food quality standards, regulate quality assurance, and enhance agricultural exports. This authority will align Pakistan’s food safety mechanisms with global standards, thereby improving the competitiveness of Pakistani products in international markets.
In his concluding remarks, the Minister of State urged all participants to share practical and actionable recommendations to uplift the agriculture sector and ensure maximum benefits for small farmers. He appreciated the active participation of all members and reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to strengthening the agricultural base of Pakistan for national food security and economic stability.
