BY : ANI Bureau:
LAHORE — Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting on August 22, 2026, to review agricultural sector reforms and progress on government policy measures aimed at promoting growth and development in the sector.
The Prime Minister said providing all possible support to small and medium-sized farmers to increase per-acre yields was among the government’s top priorities. He directed that certified companies must ensure the provision of quality seeds to farmers.
He also called for a comprehensive national mechanism for crop production estimates after taking all stakeholders into confidence, and directed that agricultural research institutions be made more effective to support the development of the sector.
The Prime Minister stressed that small and medium-sized farmers should fully benefit from the government’s agricultural innovation and reform initiatives. He also directed that the experience of students who returned from agricultural training in China last year be utilised effectively, while merit and transparency should be given top priority in the selection of students for agricultural training in China this year.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved reforms to the National Agriculture Research Centre (NARC) and directed that the process be completed at the earliest. He further instructed that NARC and the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council be made more effective and aligned 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 digitalisation, research and capacity building, food security and other key areas.
The meeting was also informed about initiatives aimed at promoting the use of modern technology and artificial intelligence in agriculture, including crop assessment programmes, automation projects and an AI-based application for identifying pests and plants.
The Prime Minister was briefed on measures to promote organic agriculture, increase exports and improve rural incomes. Work is underway to develop selected agricultural clusters in Balochistan, including cotton and date-producing areas, as pilot zones for organic production, along with the formulation of a national organic policy and standards, group certification and a digital traceability system.
Regarding the new NARC master plan, the meeting was informed that the centre is being divided into seven districts to bring it in line with international requirements. The plan includes five centres of excellence, reference laboratories, a bio-repository, new research centres, a research park for the private sector, an international cooperation centre, a living laboratory and a public discovery park.
The Prime Minister approved the master plan and directed its early completion.
Federal Ministers Ahsan Khan Cheema, Azam Nazeer Tarar and Rana Tanveer Hussain, as well as Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Agriculture Ahmed Umair, attended the meeting. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Adviser to the Prime Minister Muhammad Ali, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, Special Assistant Tariq Bajwa and senior officials participated via video link.
