ISLAMABAD, Jun 09 (APP):Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed provinces, particularly Balochistan, to present comprehensive plans for increasing cotton production. He instructed that the notification of the reconstituted Cotton Board be issued immediately. The prime minister was talking to a delegation of Agricultural Sector Stakeholders which called him at the PM House. The delegation included representatives of farmers' organizations, the dairy and livestock sector, the value-added sector, seed-producing …
PM seeks comprehensive plans to increase cotton production
ISLAMABAD, Jun 09 (APP):Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed provinces, particularly Balochistan, to present comprehensive plans for increasing cotton production.
He instructed that the notification of the reconstituted Cotton Board be issued immediately.
The prime minister was talking to a delegation of Agricultural Sector Stakeholders which called him at the PM House.
The delegation included representatives of farmers’ organizations, the dairy and livestock sector, the value-added sector, seed-producing companies, as well as national and multinational organizations.
The meeting, held ahead of the Federal Budget for Fiscal Year 2026–27, aimed to consult stakeholders from the agricultural sector regarding budget-related matters.
Participants appreciated the prime minister’s leadership and efforts toward promoting peace in the current regional situation.
They welcomed the recently introduced Seed Policy and agricultural reforms, describing them as a game changer for the agricultural sector.
The prime minister stated that Pakistan’s agricultural sector had tremendous potential to bring about revolutionary change in the country’s economy.
He said that, with the cooperation of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) was being modernized to accelerate agricultural research.
The prime minister directed the formation of a committee comprising experts and relevant stakeholders from across the country to advance the agenda of sustainable agricultural development and reforms.
He emphasized the need to ensure effective coordination between the federal and provincial governments and harmonize federal and provincial policies and regulations.
He instructed authorities to focus particularly on increasing crop yield per acre, promoting climate-resilient hybrid seeds, developing the horticulture sector, advancing agricultural mechanization, and enhancing value addition in agricultural products.
He welcomed the proposals presented by participants regarding the promotion of the dairy and livestock sectors.
The prime minister reaffirmed that the government would continue consultations and cooperation with all relevant stakeholders to ensure sustainable agricultural development, food security, and economic stability.
The delegation was briefed on the government’s initiatives for agricultural development and farmers’ welfare.
During the briefing, participants were informed that under the Zarkhaiz Scheme, small farmers were being provided bank loans of up to Rs 1 million on easy terms and conditions.
The State Bank of Pakistan is providing farmers with a risk coverage scheme and crop loss insurance.
Drafts of the National Animal Health Act and the National Breeding Policy have been prepared to support the development of the dairy and livestock sectors.
Members of the delegation highlighted issues facing the agricultural sector and presented suggestions for their resolution.
The delegation appreciated the government’s initiatives for the development of Pakistan’s agricultural sector and expressed confidence in its economic and development policies.
The delegation included Arshad Iqbal, Zeeshan Baig, Mahmood Nawaz Shah, Imad Malik, Rana Naseem, Ahsan Mustafa Bajwa, Jahangir Tareen, Fahad Patel, Shehzad Amin, Khizar Alam Khan, Amina Asif Bajwa, Zahoor Hussain, Usman Zaheer, Ahmad Qadir, Afaq Tiwana, Shaukat Rasool, and Khalid Khokhar.
The meeting was also attended by Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, Minister for Planning, Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Climate Change, Musadik Malik, Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar, Minister for Power, Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, Minister for Science and Technology, Khalid Hussain Magsi, Minister for Petroleum, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Minister for Water Resources, Muhammad Moeen Wattoo, Minister of State for Finance and Railways, Bilal Azhar Kayani.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, Haroon Akhtar Khan along with senior government officials.
