PM directs effective measures to boost agriculture production, explore new international markets

ISLAMABAD, Sep 11 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Friday stressed that effective coordination and partnership between the federal and provincial governments was essential for increasing per-acre agricultural productivity, introducing innovation in agriculture, developing the livestock sector and promoting agricultural exports. Chairing a high level meeting on promotion of agriculture sector and enhancement of agriculture exports, the prime minister directed that coordinated measures be taken to expand access for Pakistani agricultural products to international markets and explore new markets. He directed commercial officers posted at Pakistan's missions abroad to play an effective role in promoting agricultural exports. He also directed that an effective media campaign be launched to raise awareness among farmers about the mobile application available for monitoring crops. The prime minister said value addition in agricultural products was essential for increasing exports from the agriculture sector. He said that the agriculture sector played a key role in the growth and stability of Pakistan's economy. Proposals were presented at the meeting for the development of the agriculture sector and promotion of agricultural exports. The meeting was informed that Pakistan's agricultural exports stood at US$5.18 billion during the last financial year. Rice, fisheries, halal meat, potatoes, sesame, tobacco, mangoes and maize were among Pakistan's major agricultural exports. The meeting proposed the development of value chains to increase agricultural exports. China, Saudi Arabia, Iran and the Gulf countries were identified as important markets for Pakistan's agricultural exports, the briefing said adding that the National Agriculture and Food Security Council would be made functional. The chief ministers would represent their respective provinces in the National Agriculture and Food Security Council, the briefing said. The meeting was briefed on a proposal to establish a Digital Farmers' Diary-Agri Stack, under which farmers across the country and agricultural land records would be digitized. Under the Digital Farmers' Diary-Agri Stack, records related to soil and water testing would also be digitized. A Pakistan-Good Agriculture Practices (Pak-GAP) system would be developed to promote agricultural practices that produce better results, it was further proposed. Facilities related to agricultural financing would be provided to promote exporters in the agriculture sector. Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister for Climate Change Musadik Masood Malik, Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunications Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan, Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azam Khan Kiani, Minister of State for National Food Security Malik Rasheed Ahmad, and senior relevant government officials attended the meeting.