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ZAYN MALIK ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said Pakistan has the potential to revive its economy within a year by fully harnessing the agriculture and livestock sectors, stressing the urgent need to adopt modern technology, strengthen research, and increase value addition to agricultural products.
Addressing the national seminar titled “Harnessing Pakistan’s Livestock Potential”, the prime minister described agriculture and livestock as the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, saying the country already possesses the natural resources needed for rapid growth.
“Agriculture and livestock constitute the single sector where, if we work with complete, undivided focus, we can revive our economy within a single year,” he said.
Mr Sharif noted that Pakistan’s challenges are not due to a shortage of fertile land, water, or hardworking farmers, but rather the limited use of modern farming techniques, technology, and scientific research. He said closer cooperation with China would play a vital role in modernising Pakistan’s agricultural institutions and improving technical expertise.
Highlighting the country’s untapped potential, the prime minister pointed out that Pakistan is the world’s fourth-largest producer of milk, yet continues to earn relatively little from value-added dairy products.
“Pakistan is ranked as the fourth largest milk-producing country in the world,” he said. “However, our level of value addition remains far below its potential. The same applies to the meat industry, where the global market is worth hundreds of billions of dollars.”
He said agriculture and livestock remain among Pakistan’s largest economic sectors, providing livelihoods to millions of people and offering significant opportunities to increase exports and create employment.
The prime minister also revealed that discussions are underway with China to modernise the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) following his recent visits, with the aim of introducing advanced research methods and improving agricultural productivity.
He emphasized that emerging technologies—including artificial intelligence (AI), information technology (IT), and precision farming—could transform Pakistan’s agricultural landscape if adopted on a wider scale. He urged the federal and provincial governments to work together to fully unlock the sector’s economic potential.
Government to Fully Fund Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccine
To strengthen the livestock industry, Mr Sharif announced that the federal government will provide 100 percent funding for the development of an indigenous vaccine against Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD).
He said controlling the disease is essential for expanding livestock exports and improving the health and productivity of farm animals across the country.
1,000 Agriculture Graduates to Receive Training in China
The prime minister also announced that another 1,000 fresh agriculture graduates from all four provinces, as well as Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, will be sent to China this year for advanced agricultural training at government expense. The initiative follows a similar programme launched last year to equip young professionals with modern agricultural knowledge and skills.
During the ceremony, Mr Sharif also inaugurated the Pakistan Animal Identification and Traceability System, a new initiative designed to improve livestock management through better animal identification, genetic improvement, disease surveillance, and enhanced traceability, ultimately boosting productivity and supporting the country’s livestock exports.
