Islamabad: Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, emphasized the transformative potential of cooperative farming in a high-level meeting held in Islamabad. This gathering, also attended by Rana Iftikhar Muhammad, President of the Chamber of Agriculture Punjab, underscored cooperative farming as the bedrock of sustainable agriculture in Pakistan.

Rana Tanveer Hussain highlighted the struggles faced by small and medium-sized farmers in accessing advanced technology, affordable inputs, and profitable markets. He asserted that cooperative farming offers a collective remedy to these persistent issues, ensuring equitable access to modern machinery, climate-smart practices, and interest-free agri-finance.

The Minister stressed that this collaborative farming approach would not only boost the rural economy but also significantly enhance national food security. By adopting intercropping and value addition techniques, Pakistan could reduce its dependency on imported wheat, pulses, and edible oil, conserving precious foreign reserves.

Acknowledging the contributions of Rana Iftikhar Muhammad in championing the cooperative farming initiative, the Minister assured full governmental support for its realization. He also mentioned plans to provide farmers with modern storage facilities, processing units, and export-oriented packaging centers under the cooperative model.

Describing this initiative as more than an agricultural strategy, the Minister called it a social and economic revolution aimed at empowering farmers and securing Pakistan’s future. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to offering technical guidance and financial aid to ensure the model’s success nationwide.

Rana Tanveer Hussain concluded by articulating the vision for Pakistan’s agriculture to become a competitive and resilient sector, encapsulated in his statement: “Save the farmer, secure Pakistan.”