Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed federal and provincial authorities to join forces in a sweeping initiative to modernize Pakistan’s agricultural landscape, enhance crop productivity, and significantly boost national export revenues.
Strategic Priorities & Export Directives
- Market Expansion Abroad: Trade diplomats and commercial officers posted at Pakistani missions worldwide have been instructed to actively secure new trade corridors and position local produce in international markets.
- Focus on Value Addition: Transitioning from low-margin raw exports to high-value processed commodities was highlighted as the central pillar for long-term export growth.
- Digital Outreach: A national awareness campaign will educate farmers on leveraging crop-monitoring mobile applications to optimize yield and soil health.
Export Benchmarks & Growth Targets
- $5.18 Billion Baseline: Agricultural exports generated $5.18 billion in the preceding financial year, anchored by core exports including Basmati rice, seafood, halal meat, potatoes, sesame, tobacco, mangoes, and maize.
- High-Priority Regions: Commercial efforts will heavily target China, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets.
Next-Generation Agri-Tech & Institutional Reforms
- National Agriculture & Food Security Council: The council is being reactivated with all provincial chief ministers to align federal and regional policy execution.
- Digital Farmers’ Diary (Agri-Stack): A centralized digital network will integrate land registry, soil composition, and water-testing metrics across the country.
- Pak-GAP Standard: The implementation of Pakistan-Good Agriculture Practices (Pak-GAP) will align local farming techniques with global compliance and food safety protocols.
- Financial Backing: Customized financial packages and credit access will be rolled out to assist agri-exporters in developing resilient value chains.
