Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday held a meeting with key stakeholders from Pakistan’s agriculture sector ahead of the federal budget for fiscal year 2026-27, seeking recommendations to accelerate growth and unlock the sector’s economic potential.
The meeting was attended by representatives of farmers’ organizations, dairy and livestock businesses, value-added agricultural industries, seed companies, as well as national and multinational firms operating in the sector. The consultation was part of the government’s pre-budget engagement process aimed at incorporating the views of stakeholders into policy and budgetary planning for the upcoming fiscal year.
Participants lauded the prime minister’s efforts to promote peace amid the prevailing regional situation and appreciated the government’s commitment to economic stability.
The stakeholders also welcomed the recently introduced seed policy and broader agricultural reforms, describing them as a “game changer” for Pakistan’s agriculture sector. Addressing the meeting, PM Shehbaz said agriculture has the capacity to bring about a transformative change in Pakistan’s economy and play a central role in the country’s recovery and long-term growth.
He said the government was modernising the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) with the support of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences to accelerate agricultural research and innovation.
The prime minister emphasized the need for technology-driven farming, improved productivity and stronger linkages between research institutions and farmers to enhance the sector’s competitiveness.
To advance the government’s agricultural reform agenda and ensure sustainable development of the sector, Shehbaz directed the formation of a committee comprising experts and relevant stakeholders from across the country.
The committee will provide recommendations to support agricultural modernization, improve policy implementation and address challenges faced by farmers and agribusinesses, according to an official statement.
The consultation comes as the government prepares to unveil the federal budget for FY2026-27, with agriculture expected to remain a key focus area due to its significant contribution to employment, exports and food security.