Report: Kiran Shehzadi/ANI
ISLAMABAD –A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on National Food Security & Research was held at Parliament House under the chairmanship of Senator Syed Masroor Ahsan.
The committee was briefed on declining wheat and rice yields. The Minister attributed the decline to uncertified seeds, inadequate fertilizer use and climate change, saying the government was introducing agricultural reforms and expanding financing and modern machinery facilities for farmers.
The committee was informed that wheat production declined in 2024 but improved in 2026, while around 90 percent of agricultural responsibilities had been devolved to the provinces.
The Pakistan Tobacco Board briefed the committee on tobacco cultivation. Senator Aimal Wali Khan called for tobacco to be declared a crop rather than a commodity. The committee recommended a policy to protect tobacco growers and constituted a sub-committee to examine the matter.
Concerns were also raised over the regulatory status of VRI cattle vaccine, with the committee informed that it was being sold and administered without the required licenses.
The Minister said Pakistan had made significant progress in olive production and had become a permanent member of the International Olive Council. Balochistan was identified as the largest olive-producing province.
The Chairman expressed concern over high palm oil imports and called for effective checks and balances on local vegetable oil and ghee producers to ensure fair competition.
