Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has emphasized that the agriculture and food security sectors are vital components of the country's economic structure. During a meeting held to address the affairs of the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, he highlighted the importance of these sectors in Islamabad today.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Prime Minister instructed to enhance the consultation process with provincial governments, as well as the administrations of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, to improve the agriculture roadmap. He also stressed the need for officials to engage with Pakistani scholars trained in agricultural research from China to gather insights for reforming Pakistan's agricultural sector.

The meeting featured a briefing on the Prime Minister's Strategic Roadmap for Agriculture and Food Security. Participants were informed of the establishment of a National Food and Agriculture Security Council across all federal units. The strategic roadmap, built on five pillars, aims to create a stable and competitive agricultural and food system within the country.

The roadmap outlines measures to bolster food security and mobilize the private sector to boost agricultural exports. Additionally, it plans to enhance water governance and promote climate-resilient crops, prioritizing coordinated research efforts. The briefing also indicated efforts to improve the nutritional status of Pakistan's population.

A digital dashboard is being developed under the roadmap to monitor and enhance the storage and preservation of agricultural commodities, as well as to advance mechanization within the sector. The digitization of agricultural system regulations is also underway.

The meeting highlighted the introduction of a farm and non-farm credit system to improve farmers' access to capital. Efforts will also focus on enhancing the nutritional value of crops and promoting bio-fortified foods. Targeted packages are planned to boost agriculture in ten underdeveloped districts of the country, alongside the launch of an Agri Graduates Utilization Scheme to advance agricultural research.