Government of Pakistan
Ministry of National Food Security & Research
PRESS RELEASE
A high powered Federal Committee on Agriculture (FCA) mandated to oversee strategic measures for ensuring food security in the country, held its meeting on 24 April, 2025 under the chairmanship of Rana Tanveer Hussain, Federal Minister for National Food Security & Research, and Malik Rasheed Ahmad Khan, Minister of State NFS&R. Besides participations of senior officers of the Ministry of National Food Security & Research, the meeting was attended by the Provincial Agriculture Departments, State Bank of Pakistan, ZTBL, National Fertilizer Development Centre (NFDC), Pakistan Meteorological Department, Pakistan Oilseed Department, Department of Plant Protection, National Seed Development Regulatory Authority (NSDRA), Indus River System Authority and Chairman, PARC.
2. While reviewing the performance of the Rabi crops (2024-25), the Committee observed that Wheat production for 2024-25 is estimated at 28.42 million tons from an area of 9.1 million hectares; the decrease in production is 10% over the last year, Onion production for 2024-25 is estimated at 2.7 million tons from an area of 0.17 million hectares; the increase in production is 15.7% whereas, area increased 17.3% over the last year, Tomato production for 2024-25 is estimated at 654 thousand tons from an area of 53 thousand hectares the increase in production is 8.8% whereas, area increased 4.8% over the last year, the potato production for 2024-25 is estimated 9.3 million tons from an area of 0.37 million hectares the increase in production is 11.7% over the last year. The current government has prioritized agriculture to boost up country’s economy and uplist the livelihood of people.
3. The FCA held detailed deliberations over the production targets for essential Kharif crops 2025-26 and decided to fix 9.17 million tons production target for Rice over 3 million hectares of land and fix 9.7 million tons production target for Maize over 1.5 million hectares of land. The Committee also fixed the production target (2025-26) of sugarcane at 80.3 million tons over an area of 1.1 million hectares. The Committee also fixed the production target (2025-26) of cotton at 10.18 million bales over an area of 2.2 million hectares. The targets for other crops such as Mung, Mash and Chilies were also fixed.
4. Pondering over the availability of agricultural inputs for Kharif crops (2025), the water availability in canals head will remain 60.502 million acres feet (MAF) during the Kharif Season.
5 Meteorological department informed that during January to April 2025, 39% below average precipitation was recorded. Also, 60% below average precipitation recorded in April with extremely drier conditions over southern half (Sindh and Balochistan). Overall, the temperature may remain above normal in most parts of the country during January to April, 2025. During May to July, 2025, above normal precipitation is likely over most parts of the country except May. Temperature is expected to remain above normal in most parts of the country during the next three months, except July. Deficiency of soil moisture condition may hurdle the sowing of Kharif crops especially in Northern Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Northern Balochistan due to the expected drier conditions during May, 2025. However, judicious use of available water stock is recommended for all parts of the country. 6. The Committee was informed that the availability of Rice and Maize seed will remain available as per requirement. The representative from State Bank of Pakistan informed that expected allocations of institutional credit for agriculture had substantially increased to Rs.2572 billion for 2024-25 which is 16% higher than the last year’s disbursement of 2216 billion made during last year.
7. Chief, National Fertilizer Development Cell (NFDC) told that due to local production and available stocks, the supply position of Urea will remain comfortable. DAP will also remain on satisfactory level.
8. At the end, the Committee expressed satisfaction over the food security situation in the country however, it emphasized the need for research & development as well as better coordination to consolidate the gains and ensure further progress of the sector.