Islamabad:Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has emphasized that providing farmers with affordable fertilizers, quality seeds, modern machinery, and technical expertise for efficient water use is a top government priority. He made these remarks while chairing the inaugural meeting of the National Agriculture and Food Security Council.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Prime Minister underscored the critical role of agriculture as the backbone of the national economy, with the potential to drive economic growth swiftly. He highlighted the importance of ensuring fair crop prices, especially for small and medium-sized farmers.

Sharif assured that the federal government would cooperate fully with provincial authorities to enhance the agricultural sector. He also noted the significant potential of the livestock sector in boosting national exports and mentioned ongoing efforts to enhance halal meat exports from Pakistan.

The Prime Minister praised initiatives by the Chief Minister of Punjab, including aquaculture and shrimp farming, and the provision of direct subsidies through the Kisan Card. Additionally, he commended the Chief Minister of Sindh for promoting farmers' welfare and providing necessary facilities.

On the topic of wheat supply and pricing, the Prime Minister confirmed that wheat stocks are sufficient to meet national needs and warned against any leniency towards hoarders. He stressed the importance of setting wheat prices before the sowing season to ensure farmers receive fair compensation for their efforts, while also keeping wheat affordable for consumers.

The upcoming decision on wheat pricing will involve consultations with provincial governments, with an announcement expected soon. During the meeting, provincial leaders from Punjab and Sindh highlighted their respective measures for farmers' development, while initiatives to promote agriculture in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan were also discussed.