Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed faster implementation of agriculture reforms, with a focus on small farmers, research, technology, AI and food security.
LAHORE: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday directed the government to accelerate agriculture reforms and ensure greater support for small and medium-sized farmers as part of efforts to increase per-acre crop yields.
Chairing a review meeting on agriculture sector reforms and government policy measures, the prime minister said providing all forms of assistance to small and medium-sized farmers was among the government’s top priorities.
Shehbaz directed authorities to ensure that certified companies provide farmers with quality seeds. He also called for a comprehensive national system to estimate crop production after consultation with all relevant stakeholders.
The prime minister ordered greater activation of agricultural research institutions and directed officials to ensure that small and medium-sized farmers fully benefit from reforms aimed at introducing innovation in the agriculture sector.
He also stressed making effective use of the experience of students who returned last year after receiving agricultural training in China. For students being sent to China for agricultural training this year, he directed that merit and transparency be given the highest priority.
The prime minister approved reforms to the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) and directed that they be completed at the earliest. He further instructed authorities to make NARC and the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council more effective and bring them in line with international standards.
The meeting was briefed on progress under the Agriculture Innovation and Growth Plan 2026-27, which focuses on financial facilitation for farmers, agricultural machinery, modern technology and digitalization, research, capacity building and food security.
Key initiatives include crop and refinancing measures, crop insurance, electronic warehouse receipt financing, farm machinery financing and the Prime Minister’s National District Development Program.
Officials also briefed the meeting on the use of modern technology and artificial intelligence in agriculture, including the Pakistan Tobacco Board automation project, crop assessment through SUPARCO and an AI-based application for identifying pests and plants.
The government is also working to promote organic agriculture to increase exports and rural incomes. Measures include developing selected agricultural clusters in Balochistan, including cotton and dates, as pilot areas for organic production, while work is underway on a national organic policy, standards, group certification and a digital traceability system.
The meeting was also briefed on NARC’s new master plan. Under the plan, the center will be divided into seven districts and will include five centers of excellence, reference laboratories, a biorepository, new research centers, a research park for the private sector, an international cooperation center, a living laboratory and a public discovery park.
Shehbaz approved the master plan and directed its early completion.
Federal ministers Ahsan Khan Cheema, Azam Nazeer Tarar and Rana Tanveer Hussain, along with the prime minister’s coordinator for agriculture, Ahmed Umair, attended the meeting. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Prime Minister’s Adviser Muhammad Ali, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, Special Assistant Tariq Bajwa and other senior officials participated via video link.
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