Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday inaugurated the Seed Potato Production and Aeroponics Complex, a state-of-the-art facility established with South Korea’s assistance to boost local seed potato production through advanced technology.

Speaking at the event, the premier emphasized the need for the federal and provincial governments to work together to provide farmers with quality inputs—seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides—at reasonable rates. He highlighted that timely access to these essentials could revolutionize Pakistan’s agriculture sector, enhancing productivity and exports.

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Shehbaz Sharif expressed gratitude to South Korea for its support in setting up the facility, underscoring Pakistan’s interest in expanding cooperation with Korea in various economic sectors. He noted that Pakistan’s farmers were hardworking and capable, and the use of high-quality seeds would significantly improve potato yields.

The prime minister also stressed the importance of equipping agriculture graduates with modern skills, announcing that 1,000 graduates would be sent to China for specialized training. He urged the Ministry of Food Security to focus on developing locally manufactured agricultural machinery, including combined harvesters, to reduce reliance on costly imports.

With about 65% of Pakistan’s rural population engaged in agriculture, Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the need to boost production of key crops such as cotton and sugarcane while improving storage and transportation infrastructure for fruits and vegetables. He also called for enhanced efforts in value addition and agri-based small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to strengthen rural economies.

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The prime minister pointed out Pakistan’s $4.5 billion annual expenditure on palm oil imports and stressed the urgency of increasing domestic production to reduce this burden. He also acknowledged the untapped potential of the livestock sector and urged coordinated efforts to drive agricultural progress.

Shehbaz Sharif commended researchers and scientists from the Pakistan Agriculture Research Council for their contributions, expressing confidence that Pakistan’s agriculture sector would thrive with sustained reforms and technological advancements.

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