Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Calls for Higher Agricultural Productivity and New Export Markets

ISLAMABAD, September 11, 2026: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for closer coordination between federal and provincial governments to raise agricultural production, encourage innovation in farming and livestock, and open new export markets for Pakistani producers.

Chairing a high-level meeting on agriculture and exports, the prime minister stressed the need for institutions to work together to improve per-acre productivity and competitiveness. He directed authorities to expand the use of modern practices and technology across the farming and livestock sectors, according to Business Recorder's report on the meeting.

He directed commercial officers at Pakistan's diplomatic missions abroad to take a more active role in promoting agricultural products and identifying buyers. Stronger diplomatic and commercial engagement, he said, should help Pakistani exporters build a sustainable presence in overseas markets.

The prime minister also called for an awareness campaign about the mobile application for crop monitoring. Wider adoption of digital tools could help farmers manage their crops and benefit from timely information.

He emphasized value addition through processing, packaging and more competitive supply chains to increase export earnings and meet international market requirements. Agriculture remains important to food security, employment and rural livelihoods in Pakistan.

Export Markets and Digital Farm Records

The meeting was informed that in the previous financial year, Pakistan's agricultural exports amounted to about $5.18 billion, among which rice, fisheries, halal meat, potatoes, sesame, tobacco, mangoes and maize are the main agricultural export commodities of the country. The participants exchanged views on the potential of establishing integrated value chains to boost the competitiveness of these products and improve opportunities for them to expand into international markets.

The meeting identified China, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Gulf countries as major markets for Pakistani agricultural products, and it noted that the National Agriculture and Food Security Council should be fully operational, with chief ministers of the different provinces attending the meeting and playing an active role in the coordinated national policy-making process.

The meeting also explored the plans for a Digital Farmers' Diary and Agri Stack, which would enable the digitisation of farmers and agricultural land records, and digital records for soil and water testing. The project aims to improve data-driven farm planning and access to information and services for farmers.

There were also suggestions on creating a Pakistan Good Agricultural Practices system to promote higher production standards, provide better agricultural financing facilities to support the exporters and promote investment in the sector to increase the quality and marketability of agricultural products.

Federal ministers, advisers and senior officials attended the meeting to discuss ways to strengthen production and expand the sector's participation in regional and international markets.