As Pakistan faces economic uncertainty, the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has taken a crucial step towards promoting inclusive growth in the agriculture sector.
The KCCI established an agricultural committee to foster collaboration between small and medium enterprises (SMEs), large businesses and small farmers.
Led by Nausherwan Mughal, chairman of KCCI’s agribusiness committee, the agriculture committee seeks to bridge the gap between stakeholders through public-private partnerships.
The committee aims to educate farmers on modern technologies, facilitate access to quality seeds, fertilizers and medicines and ensure easy access to finance.
Pakistan’s agricultural sector holds immense potential, with crops such as rice, wheat, corn and dates offering growth opportunities. Dates, in particular, are a fully nutritious crop that can thrive in the Pakistani climate. However, challenges such as climate change, erratic rainfall and prolonged summers are hampering progress.
To combat these issues, the committee plans to develop climate-resilient crop varieties through collaborations with international partners, including Japan, Turkey and Tajikistan. These partnerships will improve Pakistan’s agricultural productivity and competitiveness.
The committee aims to collaborate with farmers, academia and industry through workshops and seminars, promoting knowledge sharing and capacity building.
Liaison with international organizations such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Trade Center (ITC) will provide guidance on climate resilient crops and global best practices.
The committee recognizes the need for a unified agricultural sector policy, especially since agriculture became a provincial subject after the 18th constitutional amendment. This change has made national coordination difficult, and the committee aims to facilitate interprovincial coordination and cooperation.
Additionally, the committee chair recognizes that water infrastructure issues pose a critical challenge and plans to communicate with relevant officials to address this concern.
As Pakistan faces economic uncertainty, the KCCI Agricultural Committee provides a vital platform for inclusive growth and development.
By fostering collaboration, promoting modernization and ensuring access to finance, the committee aims to unlock the full potential of Pakistan’s agricultural sector and contribute significantly to the country’s economic stability.
KCCI has taken the first step, but the journey depends largely on how others collaborate. Through collaboration between the private sector, academia and government, Pakistan’s agricultural sector can thrive, driving economic growth and prosperity for all.