Islamabad, The Federal Committee on Agriculture (FCA), tasked with overseeing food security in Pakistan, met to discuss strategic measures to ensure a stable food supply during the Kharif season 2024 and beyond. The meeting, chaired by Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain, included senior officers from the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, Provincial Agriculture Departments, State Bank of Pakistan, ZTBL, National Fertilizer Development Center (NFDC), Pakistan Meteorological Department, Indus River System Authority, and representatives from the Planning Commission of Pakistan.
According to Press Information Department, the Federal Minister highlighted the importance of enhancing agricultural production to ensure food security and bridge the gap between production costs and output prices for farmers. While food availability in the country is generally satisfactory, affordability remains a major issue for the poor. The Minister emphasized that to overcome this challenge, efficient utilization of production resources and the adoption of modern technologies are crucial.
The FCA reviewed the performance of Rabi crops in 2023-24 and discussed production targets for essential Kharif crops in 2024-25. Wheat production is estimated at 29.69 million tons, an increase of 5.4% over the previous year. Onion production is estimated at 1.92 million tons, with a 3.9% increase despite a decrease in cultivated area. Tomato production is estimated at 627.47 thousand tons, a 3.9% increase, while potato production saw a significant rise to 8.1 million tons, representing a 27.9% increase.
The Committee set targets for key crops for the Kharif season, including 10.8 million bales for cotton, 8.7 million tons for rice, 9.3 million tons for maize, and 76.7 million tons for sugarcane. The FCA also discussed the availability of agricultural inputs, with water availability in canals expected to be 63.61 million acre-feet, higher than the previous year’s 61.85 million acre-feet.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department reported that normal to slightly above-normal precipitation is expected from April to June 2024, with above-normal precipitation likely in August and September. This forecast suggests that sufficient water will be available for irrigation and power sectors.
The State Bank of Pakistan representative announced an increase in institutional credit for agriculture to Rs. 2250 billion for 2023-24, with a disbursement of Rs. 1073.5 billion as of February 2023, achieving 59% of the annual target.
The FCA expressed satisfaction with the country’s food security situation, while stressing the importance of ongoing research and development and improved coordination to build on current progress in the agricultural sector.