PM Shehbaz orders policy roadmap for palm oil production along coastal belt

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed the authorities concerned to formulate and present policy proposals for palm oil production along the coastal belt.

PM Shehbaz stated this presiding over a meeting of a working group comprising private sector experts, established to increase national agricultural exports and align the sector with international standards, the PM Office said.

According to the PMO, the prime minister highlighted that the government is investing in research within existing resources to enhance per-acre productivity. He also called for measures to increase exports of fisheries, fruits, and value-added products. He sought a comprehensive five-year roadmap to boost agricultural exports as well.

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During the review meeting in Islamabad, the chairman of the working group, Rana Naseem, and his team presented a detailed report on the sector’s challenges and future strategy.

The prime minister emphasised that reforming the agricultural sector and introducing farmers to globally practiced methods is a top priority for the government.

“The federal government, alongside its own reforms, is collaborating with provincial governments to promote agricultural development.

“Steps are being taken to ensure the provision of high-quality seeds, timely fertiliser at reasonable prices, and pesticides to prevent diseases to increase per-acre yield,” the prime minister noted.

He added that policy-level measures are being implemented to facilitate the processing of agricultural commodities into exportable goods.

He further mentioned that 1,000 Pakistani students were recently sent to China at government expense to receive training in modern agricultural technology. “Pakistan possesses immense potential for growth in the agricultural sector,” he remarked.

The meeting—attended by federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Rana Tanveer Hussain, Dr Musadik Malik, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Attaullah Tarar, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, Special Assistant to PM Haroon Akhtar, and senior officials—received a comparative analysis of major Rabi and Kharif crops, horticulture, livestock, and the dairy sector against regional and global benchmarks.

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The briefing detailed a short-term reform framework aimed at increasing average per-acre yields using existing resources. The federal government will ensure the supply of quality seeds and work with provinces to provide effective extension services to modernise farming techniques. Additionally, the government will work on a “certification regime” for commodity processing to add value in international markets and increase farmer profitability.

A comprehensive plan for reforming research institutions was also presented, focusing on boosting current crop yields and encouraging the cultivation of new, profitable crops suited to Pakistan’s climate and soil.

The prime minister lauded the working group’s detailed briefing and directed them to incorporate the practical and effective roadmap into the government’s official reform recommendations.