Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited the National Agriculture Research Center (NARC) in Islamabad, where he attended the inauguration ceremony of a modern aeroponic cultivation facility aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity.

During his address on Monday, the prime minister emphasized the crucial role of agriculture in Pakistan’s economy, calling it the backbone of Pakistan. He added that 65% of the country's population is engaged in agriculture. He highlighted the government's commitment to reviving the sector and ensuring food security through advanced techniques and international collaborations.

Agriculture – backbone of Pakistan’s economy

PM Shehbaz acknowledged the hard work of Pakistani scientists and agricultural experts, crediting them for the sector’s development. He mentioned that despite being blessed with fertile land, Pakistan has struggled with low production of key crops such as cotton and sugarcane, adding that if efforts are made, agriculture will be strengthened in the next few years.

"Our regional neighbours have gone a long way in sugarcane production," the PM stated, adding that Pakistan will have to invest in agriculture for its progress, after which people will respect the country.

He pointed out that while neighbouring countries like China have significantly advanced in cotton production, Pakistan continues to import cotton worth billions of dollars due to insufficient local output.

He lamented the lack of agreements on cotton production in the past 20-25 years and stressed the need for boosting per-acre yield of cotton, sugarcane and other crops. He also urged the minister of food security and his team to prioritise agricultural development. "We need to increase the share of agriculture in the economy," PM Sharif stressed.

Pakistan-Korea partnership for potato seed production

The prime minister expressed gratitude to the Republic of Korea for its cooperation in establishing a facility dedicated to high-quality potato seed production. "The Republic of Korea is a strong economy with which we want partnerships in various sectors," the PM remarked.

He highlighted that Pakistan still imports potato seeds, which places a financial burden on the economy. With this initiative, Pakistan aims to produce and export high-quality potatoes, reducing reliance on imports and saving valuable foreign exchange.

"The best potato seeds will be provided to farmers," Shehbaz Sharif remarked, adding that an institution had been established for potato production. "The Pakistan Agricultural Research Council is working on agricultural development."

Boosting agricultural reforms

To modernize the agriculture sector, PM Shehbaz Sharif announced that 1,000 graduates will be sent to China for specialized training. These trained professionals will assist local farmers in adopting advanced techniques and improving crop yields.

Additionally, he emphasized the immense potential of the livestock sector, urging authorities to enhance storage and transportation infrastructure for vegetables and fruits. He also advocated for the promotion of small and medium-sized agricultural businesses in rural areas to strengthen the sector’s economic contribution.

Call for immediate action

PM Shehbaz Sharif called for urgent reforms in agriculture, urging policymakers to take swift action in strengthening the sector. He warned that any delay in implementing effective strategies would allow other countries to continue surpassing Pakistan in agricultural development.