Govt sets 25% growth target for Kharif crops

March 27, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan has set an ambitious target to increase Kharif crop production by 25% as part of a broader push to transform its agriculture sector and strengthen food security.

The government aims to achieve this through modern technologies, improved seed quality, mechanization, and better crop planning aligned with market demand.

Alongside this, efforts are underway to boost wheat yields by up to 40%, revive the cotton sector, and expand domestic oilseed production to reduce reliance on costly imports, according to a press release issued.

The direction was outlined during a high-level meeting chaired by Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain, with Punjab’s Provincial Agriculture Minister Syed Muhammad Ashiq Hussain Shah Kirmani, senior officials, agriculture experts, and scientists in attendance.

The participants reviewed the current state of the agriculture sector and discussed coordinated strategies between federal and provincial governments to drive reforms and improve productivity.

Officials emphasized that agriculture, which supports nearly 60% of Pakistan’s population, has seen stagnant productivity compared to regional countries. Key challenges identified included fertilizer shortages, climate risks, weak marketing systems, and limited export routes.

The meeting highlighted the need for a National Wheat Productivity Plan, a National Cotton Seed Program incorporating modern biotechnology, and promotion of high-value crops like oilseeds and olives.

The ministers also stressed the importance of scientific crop zoning, improved supply chains, and policy measures that align farmers’ incentives with national priorities. Provinces have been directed to submit actionable recommendations, with the federal government pledging full financial and technical support to achieve sustainable agricultural growth.

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