Islamabad, July 9, 2025: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday called for the development of a comprehensive and sustainable agricultural reform strategy in close collaboration with provincial governments to boost productivity and reduce input costs.
Chairing a high-level review meeting on the agriculture sector’s development, the prime minister emphasized that the reform agenda would begin with the provision of easy loans to farmers through a public-private partnership model. He directed urgent reforms in the Zarai Taraqqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) to ensure transparency and accessibility in the disbursement of these loans.
He further stated that the upcoming Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) would prioritize agricultural projects, with a strong focus on mechanization, digitization, and creating a business-friendly environment for the farming community.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to revitalizing the agriculture and livestock sectors, the prime minister highlighted the importance of coordinated efforts between the federal and provincial governments. He urged the formulation of both short-term and long-term strategies, particularly aimed at enhancing storage capacity for agricultural produce.
The prime minister stressed the need to modernize the sector through expert collaboration and the application of agricultural zoning, value chain development, and the adoption of technology tailored to small landholders. He also called for the integration of digital platforms to provide farmers with timely and relevant agricultural information.
During the meeting, various proposals were presented, focusing on increasing agricultural output, improving rural infrastructure, simplifying regulations to support agribusiness, and ensuring accessible financing for farmers.
It was highlighted that the National Agriculture Innovation and Growth Action Plan aims to increase farmer incomes, boost productivity, and ensure well-directed reforms. Measures are also underway to establish secure storage systems for agricultural commodities and launch a streamlined loan program for farmers.
Participants discussed the potential use of artificial intelligence to improve per-acre yields and stressed that value addition in the agricultural sector could not only enhance farmer incomes but also generate valuable foreign exchange through exports.
The meeting was attended by federal ministers Dr. Ahsan Iqbal, Rana Tanveer Hussain, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, and Dr. Musadik Masood Malik; Prime Minister’s Chief Coordinator for the Agricultural Sector Ahmad Umair; along with senior government officials and agricultural experts from the private sector.
