Federal and provincial officials met in Islamabad to address urgent challenges confronting farmers and livestock owners. Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain confirmed the high-level talks, which zeroed in on strengthening coordination between the federal and provincial governments to resolve growers’ concerns and vigorously support Pakistan’s agriculture and livestock sectors.
Federal and Provincial Officials Convene in Islamabad
Establishing an FMD-Free Zone Along the Punjab Motorway
Central to the discussions was a major biosecurity agreement between the federal and Punjab governments. The two administrations committed to establishing a Foot-And-Mouth Disease (FMD)-free zone along the motorway corridor in Punjab. This strategic initiative aims to control and eradicate the disease from the province, ultimately paving the way for an FMD-free Pakistan.
The effort centers on tightening disease control, vaccination, movement management, and surveillance mechanisms along major livestock movement routes. Furthermore, officials reported that a dedicated disease surveillance system is currently under development to continuously monitor the prevalence and spread of livestock diseases across the region.
Securing Fertilizer Availability and DAP Supplies
Beyond livestock health, participants scrutinized the domestic fertilizer market. Officials placed a particular focus on DAP supplies, reviewing existing distribution measures and identifying potential bottlenecks.
According to the meeting summary, leadership emphasized close coordination among relevant departments. The goal is straightforward: maintain a smooth supply chain, preempt shortages, and guarantee the timely availability of fertilizer to farmers working the land.
Expanding Potato Production Planning and Exports
The potato sector formed another key agenda item during the session, with officials diving into production planning, market access, and exports. Discussions prioritized expanding export destinations to help create sustainable, long-term demand for Pakistani potatoes.
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