PM Shehbaz consults agriculture stakeholders ahead of budget, announces reform committee

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday held a consultative meeting with key agricultural stakeholders ahead of the federal budget for fiscal year 2026-27, reaffirming the government's commitment to agricultural reforms and announcing the formation of a committee to advance the sector's sustainable development agenda.

The delegation included representatives of farmer organisations, dairy and livestock sectors, value-added industries, seed manufacturing companies, and national and multinational institutions. Participants discussed budget-related proposals and challenges facing the agriculture sector.

Addressing the meeting, the prime minister said agriculture had the potential to bring about a revolutionary change in Pakistan's economic revival and stressed the need for coordinated efforts to enhance productivity and modernise farming practices.

He said the government was developing the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) on modern lines in collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences to accelerate agricultural research and innovation.

The participants appreciated the prime minister's efforts to maintain peace and stability amid the prevailing regional situation and welcomed the recently introduced seed policy and agricultural reforms, describing them as game changers for the agricultural sector.

To further advance reforms, Shehbaz directed the formation of a committee comprising experts and stakeholders from across the country. He instructed the relevant authorities to ensure effective coordination between the federation and the provinces and to harmonise federal and provincial agricultural policies and regulations.

The prime minister also directed officials to focus on increasing per-acre crop yields, promoting climate-resilient hybrid seeds, expanding horticulture, encouraging agricultural mechanisation, and enhancing value addition in agricultural products.

He specifically called on the provinces, particularly Balochistan, to present a comprehensive strategy for increasing cotton production. He also directed authorities to immediately issue the notification for the reconstituted Cotton Board.

Welcoming proposals submitted by representatives of the dairy and livestock sectors, the prime minister said the government would continue consultations with all stakeholders to ensure sustainable agricultural growth, food security, and economic stability.

During the meeting, participants were briefed on government initiatives to support farmers and boost agricultural productivity. Officials informed the delegation that under the fertilisation scheme, small farmers would be eligible for bank loans of up to Rs1 million on easy terms.

The briefing also highlighted that the State Bank of Pakistan was providing risk coverage and crop-loss insurance schemes for farmers. Officials further informed participants that drafts of the National Animal Health Act and the National Breeding Policy had been prepared to support the development of the dairy and livestock sectors.

Members of the delegation shared concerns facing the agriculture sector and proposed measures to address them. They appreciated the government's efforts to promote agricultural development and expressed confidence in its economic and development policies.

The delegation included Arshad Iqbal, Zeeshan Baig, Mahmood Nawaz Shah, Imad Malik, Rana Naseem, Ahsan Mustafa Bajwa, Jahangir Tareen, Fahad Patel, Shahzad Amin, Khizr Alam Khan, Amna Asif Bajwa, Zahoor Hussain, Usman Zaheer, Ahmed Qadir, Afaq Twana, Shaukat Rasool, Khalid Khokhar and other stakeholders.

The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Climate Change Minister Musadik Malik, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Power Minister Owais Leghari, Science and Technology Minister Khalid Magsi, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervez Malik, Water Resources Minister Muhammad Moin Wattoo, Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani, Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar and senior government officials.