First Meeting of Cabinet Committee on Agriculture and Climate/Flood Emergencies Held under Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal

Islamabad, Oct 6: The inaugural meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Agriculture and Climate/Flood Emergencies was held today under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal. The Committee was constituted by the Prime Minister, with Minister Ahsan Iqbal serving as its convener.

Addressing the Committee, Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal emphasized that providing short-term, medium-term, and long-term relief to farmers is the government’s top priority. He urged provincial governments, in collaboration with the federal government, to take swift measures to ensure that flood-affected farmers are supported ahead of the upcoming Rabi cropping season.

Highlighting the urgency of agricultural support, the Minister stressed the importance of supplying canola seeds within the next 15 days to leverage residual soil moisture from the floods. “I have arranged a 5,000-acre canola seed pilot project in Narowal through corporate sponsorship. Time is critical; we must act immediately,” he stated.

Minister Iqbal further emphasized crop diversification toward high-value crops such as canola, which offer higher returns and growing market demand. He also highlighted the need for interest-free loans for farmers and gradually moving toward private insurance schemes to protect farmers against recurrent climate shocks.

The Minister directed the formation of three dedicated task forces, in consultation with federal ministries and provincial governments. These task forces will prepare detailed reports within 15 days covering:

1. Immediate agricultural relief and seed provision

2. Climate change impacts and resilience strategies

3. Strengthening infrastructure for climate-resilient agriculture

“These initiatives are essential as climate change, floods, and droughts are becoming permanent challenges. We must establish a long-term framework for food security, resilience, and sustainable growth in the agriculture sector,” the Minister added.

Member Infrastructure Waqas Anwar briefed the Committee, noting that its mandate includes formulating an agricultural support package to provide immediate relief to flood-affected farmers, designing a medium-term package for fair returns, and reviewing climate change impacts on agriculture, livestock, agro-based industries, and exports. The Committee will also coordinate with provincial governments to enhance resilience and sustainability in these sectors.

The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Musaddiq Malik (Climate Change), Awais Leghari (Power), Mian Riaz Hussain (Housing & Works), provincial agriculture and finance ministers, and senior officials from the Planning Commission, Climate Change Division, Water Management, and related departments.

Keywords: Pakistan agriculture relief, flood-affected farmers, Rabi season support, canola seed project, climate resilience Pakistan, agricultural support package, federal-provincial coordination, sustainable agriculture