ISLAMABAD, Jun 22 (APP):The National Assembly on Monday approved three demands for grants worth Rs33,706,435,000 (Rs33.70 billion) for the Ministry of National Food Security and Research after rejecting 112 cut motions moved by opposition lawmakers. The demands for grants were presented by Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb to meet expenditures for the upcoming financial year. According to details, the approved allocations included Rs22,231,937,000 for the National …
NA approves Rs33,706,435,000 demands of grants for Food Security Ministry after rejecting 112 cut motions
ISLAMABAD, Jun 22 (APP):The National Assembly on Monday approved three demands for grants worth Rs33,706,435,000 (Rs33.70 billion) for the Ministry of National Food Security and Research after rejecting 112 cut motions moved by opposition lawmakers.
The demands for grants were presented by Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb to meet expenditures for the upcoming financial year.
According to details, the approved allocations included Rs22,231,937,000 for the National Food Security and Research Division, Rs7,291,498,000 for the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), and Rs4,183,000,000 for development expenditure of the National Food Security and Research Division.
Responding to point raised by the lawmakers of the opposition, Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain said the agriculture sector remains a top priority of the government under the leadership of the Prime Minister, adding that it is believed to be the key driver in turning around the country’s economy.
He said it was regrettable that opposition members had not raised demands for increased funding for the sector, which he termed the backbone of the national economy.
He added that duty-free machinery had been allocated in the current budget on the directions of the Prime Minister.
The minister said agriculture is a devolved subject under the 18th Constitutional Amendment, while food security remains a federal responsibility and agricultural research continues to be a concurrent subject.
He added that major research institutions, including provincial agricultural research bodies and universities, are working in collaboration across provinces.
He said the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council and other institutions are actively engaged in improving agricultural productivity, while provincial governments manage a large share of research and extension services in their respective jurisdictions.
He highlighted that both federal and provincial governments have introduced significant support packages for farmers, including subsidies and relief measures such as electricity and input support in various provinces.
He said Sindh provided a subsidy of around Rs52 billion last year for farmers owning up to 25 acres of land, while Punjab introduced a package of around Rs100 billion for the agriculture sector.
He added that the federal government has allocated nearly Rs200 billion for agricultural development in the current financial framework.
The minister said the government is also focusing on technology transfer and international cooperation, particularly with China and Australia, to improve agricultural practices and modern farming systems.
He said agreements and collaborations are being pursued to strengthen innovation and capacity building in the sector.
Highlighting challenges, he referred to post-harvest losses and stressed the need for improved storage systems and supply chain management to reduce wastage.
He said Pakistan had managed to maintain supply stability during climate-related challenges, floods, and global disruptions.
Comparing regional productivity, he noted that Pakistan’s agricultural output has improved and is now close to neighbouring countries, while acknowledging the need for further gains in yield and efficiency.
On water-related concerns, he underscored Pakistan’s vulnerability as an agriculture-dependent country and warned that regional tensions over water resources remain a critical issue for national food security.
He said that despite global inflationary pressures, the government has taken steps to stabilize essential food supplies and control price fluctuations to protect consumers, particularly low-income groups.
He said Pakistan exported certified seed worth around $1 billion to countries including India and China, adding that it was later used for oil extraction, and stressed the need for greater value addition within the country’s agricultural sector.
He said the government, under the direction of the Prime Minister and the Finance Ministry, is focused on ensuring affordable agricultural financing for farmers.
He added that efforts are underway to maintain low lending rates so that small farmers are not burdened with excessive interest compared to commercial and industrial borrowers.
He said agricultural credit should be directed more effectively toward farming communities instead of being routed into unrelated sectors through commercial banking channels, adding that dedicated agricultural financing mechanisms are being strengthened.
The minister said special emphasis is being placed on small farmers and tenants, particularly those without formal land ownership records.
He announced that collateral-free loan facilities are being expanded to ensure access to financing for sharecroppers and small-scale cultivators without traditional documentation barriers.
He added that reforms are being introduced to simplify access to credit and improve financial inclusion in rural areas.
He further said a new institutional framework is being developed to strengthen coordination among stakeholders in agriculture, research, and value-chain development, involving both public and private sector representatives while reducing bureaucratic hurdles.
On regulatory matters, he said strict monitoring is being implemented across the agriculture input sector, including seed and pesticide companies. He said hundreds of companies violating standards have faced licence cancellations and blacklisting, warning that future violations would result in permanent disqualification.
He reiterated that the government’s priority is to ensure quality agricultural inputs, protect farmers from substandard products, and promote a transparent supply chain.
The minister said these reforms are part of a broader strategy to modernize agriculture, improve productivity, and strengthen food security in the country.
He said that wheat would be provided to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa according to its demand.
