Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal toured a cotton research facility on Defence Road Saturday and condemned provincial governments for inadequate agricultural development. The Planning Minister argued that provinces have neglected farming modernization since receiving constitutional authority through the 18th Amendment. Agricultural productivity remains stagnant due to poor seed development and inactive research centers across Pakistan. Provincial leaders have failed to increase crop yields despite having direct responsibility for agricultural advancement. Iqbal demanded immediate action to transform the farming sector.
Agricultural engineer Javed Saleem Qureshi accompanied the minister during his farm visit. Qureshi has created heat-resistant cotton seeds that survive temperatures reaching 50 degrees Celsius after conducting research for twenty-five years. These innovative seeds can boost cotton production from fifteen maunds to fifty maunds per acre. The minister praised this development as revolutionary for Pakistani agriculture. Government officials plan to support private sector innovations that enhance crop production.
Iqbal proposed establishing a comprehensive ten-year agricultural strategy for national food security. Pakistan must reduce foreign food imports and achieve farming independence according to the minister. Officials have created a federal-provincial committee to evaluate recent monsoon damage across affected regions. The committee will coordinate with disaster management authorities to collect assessment data.
Agricultural engineer Javed Saleem Qureshi accompanied the minister during his farm visit. Qureshi has created heat-resistant cotton seeds that survive temperatures reaching 50 degrees Celsius after conducting research for twenty-five years. These innovative seeds can boost cotton production from fifteen maunds to fifty maunds per acre. The minister praised this development as revolutionary for Pakistani agriculture. Government officials plan to support private sector innovations that enhance crop production.
Iqbal proposed establishing a comprehensive ten-year agricultural strategy for national food security. Pakistan must reduce foreign food imports and achieve farming independence according to the minister. Officials have created a federal-provincial committee to evaluate recent monsoon damage across affected regions. The committee will coordinate with disaster management authorities to collect assessment data.
