Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif Stresses Need for Agricultural Reforms and Digitalization to Boost Sector

Islamabad:Prime Minister **Shahbaz Sharif** has emphasized the need for comprehensive agricultural reforms and a modern strategy to improve Pakistan’s agriculture sector. Addressing a meeting in Islamabad, he expressed concern over the nation’s inability to keep pace with global agricultural advancements, stating that while the world has made significant strides, Pakistan has wasted precious time.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister pointed out that Pakistan lacks an effective system to store off-season crops and has failed to establish small plants for value addition of agricultural produce. He stressed that the country’s agricultural policies must be aligned with modern requirements, and experts need to be consulted to formulate a well-coordinated strategy.

**Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif** stated, “Pakistan has been blessed with fertile land, hardworking farmers, and skilled agricultural experts. We were once self-sufficient in wheat, cotton, and many other crops, but now our per-acre yield lags behind that of developed countries.”

He noted that despite the potential, Pakistan had failed to make the necessary progress in the agricultural sector. “The world has advanced in agriculture, while we have been wasting our nation’s precious time,” he remarked.

The meeting participants highlighted the potential of **digitalization** in agriculture, pointing to the availability of **smartphones** and **internet** in rural areas. They proposed the creation of a comprehensive strategy based on **scientific reforms** and digital tools, which could enhance productivity and provide better data management.

A consensus was reached to develop a **database**, **blockchain** system, and **QR codes** to organize and disseminate information related to agriculture.

In order to expedite the process, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif directed the formation of working committees, tasked with presenting their recommendations within two weeks to move forward with the proposed reforms.

The government’s push for agricultural digitization and modernization is aimed at ensuring that Pakistan’s farming sector can regain its competitiveness and improve productivity in line with global standards.