Prime minister approves NARC reforms, calls for international research standards, quality seeds and greater use of technology in agriculture.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday directed authorities to strengthen agricultural research institutions and align their research activities with international standards to boost Pakistan’s agriculture sector.
Chairing a meeting to review agricultural reforms and government measures to increase productivity and support farmers, the prime minister said providing maximum support to small and medium-scale farmers to improve per-acre yields remained a key government priority.
He directed certified companies to ensure the supply of quality seeds to farmers and ordered the development of a comprehensive national system for estimating crop production in consultation with all relevant stakeholders.
Shehbaz Sharif stressed that small and medium-scale farmers should fully benefit from reforms aimed at introducing innovation and modern technology into agriculture.
He also directed authorities to utilise the expertise of students who returned last year after completing agricultural training in China. He instructed that merit and transparency be strictly followed in the selection of students for agricultural training in China this year.
PM approves NARC reforms
The prime minister approved reforms at the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) and ordered their early implementation.
He also directed that NARC and the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) be made more effective and brought into line with international standards.
The Ministry of National Food Security and Research briefed the meeting on agricultural reforms, wheat demand, cultivated areas and estimates for the upcoming crop.
The meeting was informed that implementation of priority measures under the Agriculture Innovation and Growth Plan 2026-27 had been accelerated.
The plan focuses on financial support for farmers, agricultural machinery, modern technology, digitalisation, research, capacity building and food security.
Key initiatives include Kisan Ghar refinance, crop insurance, electronic warehouse receipt financing, farm machinery financing and the Prime Minister’s National District Development Programme.
AI and modern technology prioritised
Modern technology and artificial intelligence are also being prioritised in the agriculture sector.
Work is progressing on the Pakistan Tobacco Board Automation Project, a crop assessment programme through SUPARCO and an AI-based application for identifying pests and plants.
The meeting was also briefed on initiatives aimed at promoting organic agriculture, increasing exports and raising rural incomes.
Selected agricultural clusters in Balochistan, including cotton and dates, are being developed as pilot areas for organic production.
The government is also working on a national organic policy and standards, group certification and a digital traceability system.
NARC master plan approved
Under the new NARC master plan, the centre will be divided into seven districts in line with international requirements.
The plan includes five centres of excellence, reference laboratories, a biorepository, new research centres, a private-sector research park, a centre for international cooperation, a living laboratory and a public discovery park.
The prime minister approved the master plan and directed authorities to complete its implementation at the earliest.