Islamabad: June 19, 2026

Pakistan and Canada Explore New Avenues for Cooperation in Agriculture and Livestock

Federal Minister for National Food Security & Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, held a meeting with the Canadian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Mr. Tarik Ali Khan, to discuss opportunities for strengthening bilateral cooperation in agriculture, livestock development, agri-business investment, technology transfer, and agricultural trade.

Welcoming the High Commissioner, the Federal Minister appreciated Canada's longstanding partnership with Pakistan and acknowledged Canada's global leadership in sustainable agriculture, livestock management, food production, agricultural research, and innovation. He emphasized that Pakistan highly values its relations with Canada and is keen to further expand collaboration in sectors that contribute to food security, agricultural modernization, and economic growth.

The Minister noted that agriculture remains the backbone of Pakistan's economy, contributing nearly 25 percent to the national GDP and providing livelihoods to millions of people across the country. He observed that although agriculture constitutes a relatively smaller share of Canada's GDP, Canada has established itself as a global leader in agricultural productivity, mechanized farming, advanced seed technologies, and value-added food production.

Rana Tanveer Hussain highlighted that Canada is one of Pakistan's key agricultural partners. He informed the High Commissioner that Pakistan spends approximately US$4 to 5 billion annually on edible oil imports and is actively pursuing policies aimed at increasing domestic oilseed production. In this regard, he expressed Pakistan's interest in benefiting from Canadian expertise in canola cultivation, seed development, precision agriculture, mechanization, and agricultural research to help reduce import dependence and strengthen national food security.

The Minister further underscored Pakistan's immense potential as an exporter of high-quality agricultural products, including mangoes, rice, kinnow, dates, and halal meat. He stressed that enhanced cooperation between the two countries could facilitate greater market access, value addition, investment, and trade opportunities, benefiting farmers and agribusinesses on both sides.

Speaking on the occasion, Canadian High Commissioner Mr. Tarik Ali Khan reaffirmed Canada's commitment to deepening its partnership with Pakistan in agriculture and agri-business. He appreciated the Government of Pakistan's ongoing efforts to modernize the agriculture sector and recognized the significant opportunities available for mutually beneficial cooperation.

The High Commissioner informed the Minister that Canada is actively engaging its major agricultural provinces and stakeholders to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan's agriculture and livestock sectors. He noted that Canada is among the world's leading producers of canola, while Pakistan remains one of its major consumers, making cooperation in this area both natural and strategically important.

Mr. Tarik Ali Khan also highlighted the broader importance of regional stability for economic growth and sustainable development, emphasizing that constructive diplomatic engagement and international cooperation create favorable conditions for investment, trade, and agricultural development.

Both sides agreed that enhanced collaboration in agriculture, livestock, food processing, agricultural technology, research, capacity building, and investment would significantly strengthen bilateral relations and create new economic opportunities for both countries.

Concluding the meeting, Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain stated that Pakistan is committed to building strong and mutually beneficial partnerships with friendly countries to transform its agriculture sector into a modern, productive, and export-oriented industry.