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Pakistan and Australia have agreed to strengthen cooperation in the agriculture and livestock sectors, with a focus on improving productivity, food security, and market access.
The understanding was reached during a meeting chaired by Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain with Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan Timothy Kane. The meeting was also attended by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar, the Livestock Commissioner, and senior officials from relevant departments.
Discussions covered ways to enhance agricultural and livestock yields, address biosecurity and market access challenges, and expand technical collaboration between the two countries.
Sector Challenges
Rana Tanveer Hussain highlighted the longstanding relationship between Pakistan and Australia, noting that diplomatic ties date back to 1948. As members of the Commonwealth, he said, both countries share common values and interests that provide a strong basis for cooperation.
The minister emphasized the central role of agriculture in Pakistan’s economy, stating that around 65% of the population is directly or indirectly linked to the sector, while agriculture accounts for 36% of total employment.
He noted that livestock contributes nearly 60% to the agricultural economy but continues to face productivity challenges. Key issues include the need to establish Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)- free zones and improve animal weight and yield to increase farmers’ incomes.
The minister also pointed out that Pakistan’s average crop yield is around 30 maunds per acre, compared to 45 maunds per acre in India, highlighting the need for productivity enhancement amid growing global food security concerns.
Proposed Measures
Rana Tanveer Hussain informed the meeting that the government has allocated Rs 7.35 billion over two years to control Foot and Mouth Disease. He said work has begun on developing disease-free compartments, while vaccines are being imported from Russia and China.
On horticulture, the minister said Pakistan aims to increase mango exports to Australia. While Australia has expressed willingness to import more Pakistani mangoes, certain technical and regulatory requirements still need to be addressed. He assured that Pakistan is prepared to resolve these issues and announced the formation of a dedicated working group to ensure follow-up and implementation.
Under the proposed framework, both sides will nominate focal persons and hold two to three coordination meetings annually to track progress.
Australian High Commissioner Timothy Kane reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to its relationship with Pakistan, acknowledging the country’s fertile land and agricultural potential. He highlighted Australia’s progress in digitizing phytosanitary and regulatory systems and offered technical exchanges and training opportunities for Pakistani officials.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar highlighted Australia’s success in achieving higher yields with efficient water use, describing it as a valuable reference for Pakistan. He stressed the need for introducing new livestock breeds, developing certified slaughterhouses, and promoting value addition, and suggested a Pakistani delegation visit Australia to observe modern livestock and meat export facilities.
The Livestock Commissioner told the meeting that several Australian-supported initiatives are already underway in Pakistan, particularly in dairy development, breed improvement, and capacity building.
