Punjab organises consultative session to modernise agricultural economy

LAHORE: Under the auspices of the Government of Punjab, an important consultative meeting was held here to discuss the modernization of the agricultural economy, with the Minister for Agriculture & Livestock Punjab, Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani in the chair.

The meeting was attended by Secretary Agriculture Punjab Iftikhar Ali Sahoo, Secretary Livestock Ahmed Aziz Tarar, President Bank of Punjab Zafar Masud, Secretary Food Safety and Consumer Protection Dr Kiran Khurshid, along with more than 100 stakeholders associated with the agriculture and livestock value chain. The objective of the meeting was to gather practical recommendations for the promotion of the agro-processing industry and value addition of agricultural commodities in collaboration with the private sector.

Addressing the meeting, Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani stated that, under directions of the Chief Minister Punjab, all possible facilities will be provided for the establishment of agro-processing units in the province. He added that the promotion of agro-processing and value addition will not only significantly increase exports but also create vast employment opportunities.

He further emphasized that the development of the agricultural sector is among the top priorities of the current government, and under the Kisan Card Program, interest-free loans worth Rs250 billion are benefiting 800,000 farmers. Minister for Agriculture Punjab added that special financing programs will be introduced for small, medium, and large agro-processing units to encourage robust private sector investment. Highlighting the importance of value addition, he noted that processing of mangoes can increase value from USD300 per ton to USD3,500 per ton, citrus (kinnow) processing can enhance value fivefold, and potato processing can increase value from USD150 per ton to USD8,500 per ton. He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to facilitating the private sector in value addition of milk and meat.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026