Islamabad: In a groundbreaking move, Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain has given the nod for an expert taskforce to propel the agriculture sector into a new era of technological advancement.
Addressing a roundtable conference jointly organized by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) and the Federation of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), the Minister emphasized the need for cutting-edge solutions to boost crop yield and productivity.
The taskforce, comprising experts and stakeholders, will spearhead a coordinated effort to train, equip, and mobilize farmers to embrace transformational change. The Minister urged SDPI and FPCCI to submit policy proposals to initiate a focused intervention.
Rana Tanveer highlighted agriculture as the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, stressing its role in economic revival. He noted that the sector supported the economy during a slump, maintaining the national growth rate and GDP ratio.
The Minister emphasized the need to bridge the gap between experts and local farmers to achieve modernized agriculture. He mentioned the Prime Minister’s directive to support youth learning in the sector through fully funded training programs in China.
Executive Director SDPI, Dr. Abid Qaiyum Suleri, underscored the importance of precision agriculture technologies in mitigating climate change impacts. He highlighted the National Aerospace Science and Technology Park’s (NASTP) role in developing advanced solutions for farmers.
Chairman FPCCI Central Standing Committee on Agriculture, Chaudhry Ahmad Jawad, emphasized the need for institutional patronage to ensure agriculture’s development on modern lines. Advisor to President FPCCI, Dr. Afshan Malik, stressed the importance of skill-building, financing, and training opportunities for farmers.
