Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, chaired a high-level meeting with Provincial Agriculture Minister Punjab, Syed Muhammad Ashiq Hussain Shah Kirmani, to review the current state of the agriculture sector and devise a comprehensive strategy for its transformation. The meeting was attended by Provincial Secretary Agriculture Punjab, senior officials, agriculture experts, scientists, and other key stakeholders.
The Federal Minister emphasized that agriculture remains the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, with nearly 60 percent of the population directly or indirectly linked to it. He observed that Pakistan, despite its strong agricultural base established after the Green Revolution, has witnessed a relative decline in productivity compared to regional countries such as India, which are achieving higher yields despite having comparatively less cultivable land. He stressed that revitalizing agriculture is the Government’s foremost priority as it offers the quickest and most effective pathway for economic growth and stability.
Highlighting the global context, the Minister noted that ongoing regional conflicts have intensified food security concerns worldwide. He stated that although Pakistan is relatively better positioned compared to many countries, it still faces vulnerabilities, particularly in fertilizer production due to gas shortages, which are expected to improve in the near future. He further pointed out that global fertilizer shortages, including in countries like India, and the increasing demand for food imports, especially from Gulf countries, present both challenges and opportunities for Pakistan’s agriculture sector.
The Federal Minister outlined the Government’s vision for an agricultural transformation, describing it as a “second agricultural revolution” driven by the adoption of modern technologies, mechanization, improved seed quality, and better post-harvest management practices. He noted that both Federal and Provincial Governments are already supporting farmers through various initiatives, including tractor subsidies and fertilizer subsidies amounting to approximately PKR 50 billion.
During the meeting, wheat was identified as the top priority crop for ensuring national food security.The Minister stressed the need to develop a National Wheat Productivity Plan aimed at increasing per-acre yield by 33 to 40 percent, particularly through the use of certified high-quality seeds, while also addressing the stagnation in cultivated area, which has remained around 22 million acres over the past decade.
Cotton was discussed as a major structural challenge facing the agriculture sector, with issues such as outdated seed technology, climate change impacts, and pest pressures contributing to declining productivity. The Federal Minister emphasized the urgent need to launch a National Cotton Seed Program, introduce modern biotechnology including GMO seeds, and strengthen federal-level research coordination to revive this critical sector.
The issue of edible oil was highlighted as a major economic burden, being the second largest import item after petroleum, with Pakistan currently relying on approximately 80 percent imports. The Minister stressed the need to promote domestic production of oilseed crops such as canola and to expand olive cultivation, noting its significant export potential in the global market.
Maize production, while showing positive growth trends, was noted to be vulnerable to climate-related risks such as storms. The meeting recommended the introduction of short-stature hybrid varieties to mitigate such risks. It was further observed that certain crops, particularly potatoes, are facing issues of overproduction leading to price crashes, underscoring the need for better planning, crop diversification, and market alignment. Emerging crops such as castor oil plant, olive, turmeric, and other oilseeds were also discussed, with emphasis on their suitability for marginal lands and growing global demand.
Provincial Agriculture Minister Punjab, Syed Muhammad Ashiq Hussain Shah Kirmani, highlighted that provinces, particularly Punjab, are facing challenges of overproduction in certain crops due to weak marketing systems and limited export channels. He pointed out that disruptions in traditional export routes, especially due to the closure of the Afghanistan border and constraints in trade routes with Iran amid regional tensions, have adversely affected farmers. He emphasized the need to develop alternative export markets and strengthen supply chains to ensure better returns for farmers.
It was further observed that farmers’ cropping decisions are largely driven by profitability signals, with higher prices leading to increased cultivation and losses discouraging future planting. The Federal Minister emphasized that policy interventions must align market incentives with national priorities to ensure balanced and sustainable agricultural growth.
The meeting discussed the importance of introducing scientific crop zoning linked with profitability and market demand to avoid cyclical overproduction and shortages. The Minister stressed that such zoning must be supported by financial incentives and subsidies to encourage farmers to shift towards high-value and priority crops, particularly oilseeds and other import-substituting commodities. He also emphasized the need for stronger coordination between the Federal Government, Provincial Governments, and research institutions to ensure effective policy implementation.
The Federal Minister set clear strategic targets, including increasing Kharif crop production by 25 percent, enhancing wheat production to meet the growing needs of the population, and strengthening export capacity through diversification and value addition.
In his concluding remarks, Rana Tanveer Hussain directed all provinces, experts, and stakeholders to submit concrete and actionable recommendations, particularly focusing on priority areas such as wheat, cotton, and oilseeds. He assured that the Federal Government will provide full facilitation, including financial and technical support, for all viable proposals aimed at transforming the agriculture sector.
