Govt vows smooth DAP supply, FMD-free zone along motorway

August 25, 2026 (MLN): Federal and Punjab governments have agreed to establish a Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD)-free zone along the motorway corridor in Punjab, as part of a coordinated strategy to control and eventually eradicate the disease from the province and pave the way for an FMD-free Pakistan.

The decision was taken at a meeting between Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain and Punjab Minister for Agriculture Syed Muhammad Ashiq Hussain Kirmani, held to review key agricultural and livestock issues including FMD, availability of DAP fertilizer, and the production and export of potatoes.

The meeting was also attended by concerned provincial secretaries and directors general of relevant departments, said a press release issued.

The initiative will focus on strengthening disease control, vaccination, movement management and surveillance mechanisms along major livestock movement routes, with both sides agreeing that effective federal-provincial coordination would be essential to making the designated zone successful and gradually expanding disease-free areas.

The meeting was informed that a disease surveillance system is being developed to continuously monitor the prevalence and spread of livestock diseases, enabling authorities to identify outbreaks at an early stage and take timely preventive measures.

The system will also improve coordination, reporting and response mechanisms among relevant departments.

On DAP fertilizer availability, participants reviewed measures being taken by the federal and provincial governments to ensure adequate supply for farmers during the crop season, and emphasized close coordination among departments to address any emerging shortages.

The meeting also took up the potato sector, focusing on production planning, market access and exports.

On the advice of the Punjab Agriculture Minister, Rana Tanveer Hussain stressed that potato production and marketing this season should focus more strongly on exploring new international export markets, saying expanded export destinations would create sustainable demand for Pakistani potatoes, ease market pressure during peak production and provide better returns to farmers.

He underlined the importance of market intelligence, identifying potential importing countries and facilitating exporters' access to new markets.

The federal minister said the government remains committed to working closely with provincial governments to resolve farmers' genuine concerns, adding that disease-free livestock production, availability of agricultural inputs and diversified export markets were essential components of a resilient and competitive agriculture economy.

He said federal-provincial coordination would be further strengthened to translate these priorities into practical measures for farmers, livestock owners and the national economy.

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