LAHORE: The government and the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) have agreed to work together to increase Pakistan’s agricultural exports. Both sides want to combine government support, private-sector expertise, agricultural research and internationally recognised testing and certification. They also aim to promote value addition and develop strategies for key export markets.
Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain met LCCI President to discuss stronger cooperation between the ministry and the private sector. According to a press release, the meeting focused on increasing agricultural exports, attracting investment and removing regulatory and technical barriers to international trade.
The minister said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has placed strong emphasis on increasing exports. He stressed that government institutions and the business community must coordinate their efforts to achieve this goal.
Meanwhile, the LCCI president expressed the chamber’s willingness to work closely with the ministry. He proposed forming an Agriculture Committee to identify exportable products, resolve business and regulatory challenges, encourage private investment and develop strategies for individual commodities.
The proposed committee would also support structured discussions on export-oriented products, particularly rice and livestock. In addition, the chamber showed interest in investing in agricultural research and development.
The minister identified rice, potatoes and maize as products with significant export potential. He also highlighted opportunities in sesame, castor bean oil and dates.
Both sides stressed the need to identify agricultural surpluses and connect them with suitable international markets. They named China, Saudi Arabia and Iran as important destinations for Pakistan’s agricultural products. However, exporters need market-specific strategies and effective government support to convert surplus production into actual exports.
The meeting also discussed foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), which continues to restrict Pakistan’s meat exports and access to international markets.
The minister called for disease-free zones, compartmentalisation, vaccination and stronger animal identification and traceability systems. He also stressed coordination between federal and provincial governments to meet international disease-control and certification standards.
Participants noted that weak FMD certification and traceability systems continue to limit access to some international meat markets.
To address these challenges, the minister said the ministry is strengthening testing and certification facilities at the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC). The centre aims to meet international and European standards.
He added that modern laboratories and reliable certification can help Pakistani products, including rice and meat, meet the quality and technical requirements of importing countries. Participants also agreed that internationally recognised testing and certification can help expand agricultural exports.
The meeting also reviewed plans to establish the National Seed Development and Regulatory Authority (NSDRA). The authority aims to improve seed varieties, maintain seed quality and strengthen regulatory processes.
The minister called for an export-oriented regulatory framework. He said certification and registration requirements should support exports rather than create unnecessary restrictions on agricultural inputs, including seeds and pesticides.
Furthermore, both sides highlighted the need for greater investment in agricultural research and development. They discussed ongoing cooperation between the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS). This collaboration aims to strengthen research and introduce modern agricultural technologies.
The meeting also discussed ways to revive Pakistan’s cotton sector. Participants stressed the importance of improved seed varieties, international genetics and hybrid technologies to increase productivity.
Meanwhile, the minister said the government has ensured fertiliser availability. He added that the ministry continues to work towards stable prices and an uninterrupted supply for farmers.
The minister also emphasised the need to move beyond raw agricultural exports. He called for greater investment in processing, packaging and value addition to increase the sector’s export earnings.
Participants also highlighted the role of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in this effort. They said greater participation from these businesses could create jobs, diversify exports and help Pakistan capture more value from agricultural production.
The meeting identified dates and olive products as sectors with strong potential for value addition and wider international market opportunities.
