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ISLAMABAD, Oct 23 (APP):Minister of State for National Food Security and Research Minister Malik Rasheed Ahmed Khan on Thursday said that the government was committed to making the agriculture sector a profitable and sustainable source of livelihood by ensuring the provision of agricultural inputs at subsidized rates, besides increasing the import limit for quality seeds.
Addressing the 25th meeting of the Federal Committee on Agriculture (FCA), the minister said that the government is introducing a bio-pesticide regulatory framework to promote safe pest control and compliance with international export standards.
The meeting was also attended by provincial secretaries of agriculture, senior officials from the federal and provincial departments and representatives of relevant organizations, said a press release issued by the Ministry of National Food Security and Research.
The minister said that the Federal Committee on Agriculture serves as an essential platform where the federation and provinces engage in collective decision-making for sustainable agricultural development and food security.
He emphasized that achieving food security requires enhancing per-acre yield and ensuring efficient utilization of available resources. He highlighted the immense potential in Pakistan’s agriculture, livestock and fisheries sectors.
Malik Rasheed Ahmed Khan stressed the need to adopt modern agricultural technologies and develop effective marketing systems linked to both domestic as well as international markets and underlined that open trade policies and reduced trade barriers were vital to strengthening the agricultural economy.
Addressing the challenges posed by recent floods in Punjab, the minister informed that the federal and provincial governments were jointly assessing damages and working on rehabilitation measures for affected farmers. He appreciated the efforts of research institutions developing climate-resilient crop varieties to mitigate future risks caused by climate change.
Malik Rasheed further informed that the National Seed Policy and Biotechnology Policy were in their final stages of approval. These policies aim to promote the use of certified seeds, strengthen public-private partnerships, and encourage biotechnology-based innovations for sustainable agricultural productivity, he added.
Under the Prime Minister’s economic transformation agenda, he said that the ministry, in collaboration with provincial governments and the Green Pakistan Initiative, has formulated a comprehensive roadmap for the revival and modernization of the agriculture sector.
The roadmap includes measures for mechanization, seed reforms, cotton revival, value addition, financial inclusion, and enhanced agricultural exports, he added.
Highlighting institutional reforms, the minister said that the government has established the National Agri Trade and Food Safety Authority to harmonize food quality standards, regulate quality assurance and enhance agricultural exports.
This authority will align Pakistan’s food safety mechanisms with global standards, thereby improving the competitiveness of Pakistani products in international markets, he remarked.
The Minister of State urged all participants to share practical and actionable recommendations to uplift the agriculture sector and ensure maximum benefits for small farmers. He appreciated the active participation of all members and reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to strengthening the agricultural base of Pakistan for national food security and economic stability.