ISLAMABAD: The federal government of Pakistan has pledged to work in tandem with provincial authorities to tackle pressing issues faced by farmers and enhance the country’s agriculture and livestock sectors. This commitment was reiterated by Rana Tanveer Hussain, the Minister for National Food Security and Research, during a meeting aimed at addressing these challenges.

According to Radio Pakistan, the meeting was convened in Islamabad and attended by relevant provincial officials. Discussions centered on improving coordination between federal and provincial governments to effectively address the difficulties confronting farmers and livestock owners. A significant development from the meeting was the agreement between federal and Punjab governments to establish a Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD)-free zone along the motorway corridor in Punjab, a move intended to control and eventually eliminate the disease from the province.

The initiative, as outlined in the meeting, will focus on enhancing disease control measures, including vaccination, movement management, and surveillance mechanisms along major livestock movement routes. Additionally, a disease surveillance system is being developed to provide continuous monitoring of livestock diseases.

The meeting also delved into issues surrounding fertilizer availability, specifically DAP, highlighting the need for close cooperation among departments to ensure a consistent supply and address potential shortages. Participants underscored the importance of timely fertilizer availability to aid farmers.

Furthermore, discussions included the potato sector, with emphasis on production planning, market access, and exports. The meeting explored opportunities to expand export destinations to generate sustainable demand for Pakistani potatoes.