26 agri clusters identified under Uraan Pakistan framework: Ahsan

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, Prof Ahsan Iqbal, said that under the Uraan Pakistan framework, 26 agricultural clusters have been identified, which will serve as the foundation for value-added processing, new export opportunities, and modern agricultural models.

“The government considers the shift from raw production to value-added products a fundamental pillar of national development. Effective measures in tea processing, packaging, and branding will enable Pakistani tea to secure a distinguished position in the global market. The local tea production will play a pivotal role in saving foreign exchange and boosting exports. Pakistan is currently spending a hefty USD 650 million annually on tea imports. More than 600,000 hectares of land in Pakistan is suitable for tea cultivation, and the establishment of large farms and agricultural clusters can significantly increase production. The production is only the beginning - by activating the complete value chain, Pakistan can earn billions of dollars,” the minister expressed these views while addressing the inaugural ceremony of Pakistan’s Tea Commercialisation Strategy as the chief guest on Thursday.

The event was attended by representatives of the FAO, provincial governments, agricultural experts, and relevant stakeholders.

He said that the government’s efforts are focused on increasing exports and reducing imports to protect the country from foreign exchange pressures. He said that modern techniques and trained experts will bring real transformation to the agriculture sector. For this purpose, the government has already sent 1,000 agricultural scientists and researchers to China for advanced training, who will play an important role in bringing about an agricultural revolution through modern technologies,” he said.

Highlighting various agricultural value chains, the Planning minister said that billions of rupees can be generated through a complete value chain of rose petals. Pakistan is the world’s fourth-largest date producer, and world-class products such as mango powder and date powder can be developed to significantly boost exports.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025