Islamabad: Today, the Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research gathered at the National Agricultural Research Center to discuss advancements and strategies in the agricultural sector. The meeting, chaired by Syed Hussain Tariq, MNA, brought together key stakeholders including the Federal Minister for Food Security and Research and other committee members.
According to National Assembly of Pakistan, the committee reviewed the Ministry’s performance, with a strong emphasis on integrating modern agricultural technologies and techniques to improve crop productivity. Key discussions centered around providing farmers with essential resources like high-quality seeds and fertilizers, and enhancing access to agricultural credit.
The meeting also highlighted the need for expanding agricultural research to develop climate-resilient crops and increasing funding for agricultural universities and research institutions. The goal is to foster innovation through new farming techniques and seed development, with added focus on international collaboration in agricultural research.
To bridge the knowledge gap, the committee suggested implementing training programs and extending services to educate farmers on modern practices. They proposed the use of extension services and farmer field schools as effective tools for skill improvement and knowledge dissemination.
The committee emphasized creating farmer-friendly policies to provide comprehensive support mechanisms that ensure access to superior seeds and effective knowledge-sharing initiatives. Moreover, they called for strengthened measures in seed certification and quality control to protect farmers from inferior quality seeds.
The recommendations also included enhancing infrastructure such as irrigation systems and storage facilities to support the efficient distribution and preservation of agricultural produce, aiming to minimize post-harvest losses and maintain a consistent food supply.
By reinforcing the agricultural foundation with these initiatives, the Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research aims to build a resilient, sustainable, and robust food system that can secure the nation’s food supply while fostering economic stability and addressing the challenges of modern agriculture.