Government moves to strengthen agriculture sector ahead of FY27 budget with focus on cotton yield, seeds and climate resilience.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed provincial governments, particularly Balochistan, to prepare comprehensive plans aimed at increasing cotton production across the country.
He also instructed that the notification for the reconstituted Cotton Board be issued immediately to strengthen institutional coordination and improve sectoral performance.
The prime minister issued these directives while chairing a meeting with a delegation of agricultural sector stakeholders at the Prime Minister’s Office in Islamabad.
Stakeholder consultation ahead of FY27 budget
The meeting was held ahead of the federal budget for fiscal year 2026–27, as part of broader consultations with key sectors of the economy.
The delegation included representatives from farmers’ organisations, the dairy and livestock sector, seed companies, and both national and multinational agricultural stakeholders.
Participants appreciated the government’s focus on agricultural reforms and welcomed recent policy measures, including the Seed Policy, describing them as potentially transformative for the sector.
Focus on productivity, seeds and climate resilience
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan’s agriculture sector has significant potential to drive economic transformation, provided structural reforms are implemented effectively.
He stressed the need to increase crop yield per acre, promote climate-resilient hybrid seeds, develop horticulture, modernise agricultural mechanisation, and enhance value addition in farm produce.
He further directed the formation of a high-level committee comprising experts and stakeholders to advance sustainable agricultural development and policy reforms.
The prime minister emphasised stronger coordination between federal and provincial governments to harmonise policies and regulations for long-term sectoral growth.
Modernisation of agricultural research
The prime minister noted that with cooperation from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) is being modernised to strengthen agricultural research and innovation.
Officials briefed the meeting on ongoing initiatives aimed at improving farmer welfare and expanding access to financing.
Under the Zarkhaiz Scheme, small farmers are being provided loans of up to Rs1 million on easy terms. The State Bank of Pakistan is also offering risk coverage and crop insurance support to reduce vulnerability from climate-related losses.
Draft legislation, including the National Animal Health Act and the National Breeding Policy, has also been prepared to support development in the dairy and livestock sectors.
Broad participation from government and industry
The meeting was attended by federal ministers including Rana Tanveer Hussain, Ahsan Iqbal, Musadik Malik, Attaullah Tarar, Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, Khalid Hussain Magsi, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Muhammad Moeen Wattoo and Bilal Azhar Kayani.
Senior agricultural stakeholders also participated in the discussion, presenting proposals and highlighting key challenges faced by the sector.
The prime minister reiterated that continued consultation with stakeholders will remain central to ensuring sustainable agricultural growth, food security and long-term economic stability in Pakistan.
The meeting reflects the government’s growing emphasis on agriculture as a key pillar of economic planning ahead of the FY27 budget.