Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for coordinated measures to expand access for Pakistani agricultural products to international markets and explore new markets. He was chairing a high-level meeting on the promotion of the agriculture sector and agricultural exports in Islamabad.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Prime Minister directed Pakistan's commercial officers posted at its missions abroad to play an effective role in promoting the country's agricultural exports. Shehbaz Sharif also instructed that an effective media campaign be launched to raise awareness among farmers about the mobile application available for monitoring crops.

He emphasized that value addition in agricultural products is essential for increasing agricultural exports. Highlighting the agricultural sector's critical role in Pakistan's economic growth and stability, the Prime Minister stressed the need for effective coordination and partnership between the federal and provincial governments. This collaboration aims to increase per-acre agricultural productivity, introduce innovation in agriculture, develop the livestock sector, and promote agricultural exports.

The meeting was informed that Pakistan's agricultural exports stood at 5.18 billion dollars during the last fiscal year. Major agricultural exports include rice, fisheries, halal meat, potatoes, sesame, tobacco, mangoes, and maize.

Proposals were made to develop value chains to boost agricultural exports. A Digital Farmers' Diary, known as Agri Stack, was proposed to digitize farmers across the country and agricultural land records. It was also informed that the National Agriculture and Food Security Council will be activated, with Chief Ministers representing their respective provinces in the council.

The meeting concluded with the announcement of developing the Pakistan Good Agriculture Practices (Pak-GAP) system to promote agricultural practices that deliver better results.