Agricultural sector key to economic growth, says PBC vice chair

KARACHI: Pakistan’s economic future hinges on unlocking the full potential of its agricultural sector, according to Dr Zeelaf Munir, vice chairperson of the Pakistan Business Council (PBC) and CEO of English Biscuit Manufacturers (EBM).

Speaking at the PBC Dialogue on Economy, Dr Zeelaf emphasised that agriculture is not just vital for ensuring food security but also pivotal for driving exports, creating rural employment and fostering sustainable development.

“Agriculture is the sector that will create wealth and good jobs in the rural areas where Pakistan’s poverty resides,” she said during a panel discussion titled ‘The Potential of Agriculture -- How Businesses Are Tapping It’. She noted that agriculture contributes 20-25 per cent directly to Pakistan’s GDP, rising to about 44 per cent when indirect contributions are factored in, and supports 75 per cent of the country’s exports.

The panel, moderated by Pakistan Agricultural Coalition CEO Kazim Saeed, featured prominent leaders, including CEO of Green Pakistan Initiative Gen (r) Shahid Nazir; CEO of National Foods Abrar Hasan; CEO of TPL Insurance Muhammad Aminuddin; President and CEO of HBL Muhammad Nassir Salim; President of the Bank of Punjab Zafar Masud; and Chairman of Nestle Pakistan Syed Yawar Ali.

Addressing the urgent need for climate-smart agriculture, Dr Zeelaf pointed out that 93 per cent of the country’s freshwater resources are consumed by agriculture, making efficient irrigation and sustainable crop management imperative. “Agriculture offers significant economic growth potential with minimal investment and quick returns,” she said, while calling for reforms to tackle outdated farming techniques, fragmented value chains, and limited market access.

Panellists highlighted the importance of knowledge-sharing, financial inclusion, and technological adoption to strengthen the sector. Salim stressed the need for mainstreaming agrarian education to support small-scale farmers, while Nestle’s Yawar Ali discussed initiatives to boost productivity through farmer training programmes.

Aminuddin warned of the increasing risks posed by climate change, advocating for scalable insurance solutions to safeguard agricultural investments. National Foods’ Abrar Hasan detailed the company’s adoption of advanced technologies and seed partnerships to meet global standards.

Masud highlighted the Kisan card’s role in improving access to finance and called for targeted subsidies to bridge funding gaps for smallholders. Gen (r) Shahid Nazir mentioned the importance of technology-driven development and government support in addressing water and energy challenges faced by the sector.

While Pakistan has the potential to become a major player in global agricultural exports, Dr Zeelaf urged stakeholders to move beyond raw material exports and invest in value-added products. “Always think of value addition when thinking of agriculture: wheat can produce biscuits, which sell at a good multiple of the price of wheat,” she said.

The panel concluded with a call for stronger public-private collaboration, supportive fiscal policies, and investments in agro-processing infrastructure to position Pakistan’s agriculture sector for sustainable, export-led growth.