Pakistan is moving to redesign its agricultural framework with a crop-specific policy approach, as rising climate risks and productivity concerns prompt a coordinated response from researchers and policymakers.

A meeting of the Regional Agricultural Forum, chaired by Zulfiqar Ali, outlined plans to develop a comprehensive strategy covering major crops and climate-resilient practices. Participants included scientists and officials from institutions such as the University of Agriculture Faisalabad and the Ayub Agricultural Research Institute.

The proposed framework aims to introduce crop-wise planning, promote climate-resilient agriculture and establish demonstration sites across agro-ecological zones. These sites are intended to showcase modern technologies and improve productivity through practical application.

Discussions covered key crops including wheat, maize, rice, sugarcane, cotton, pulses, citrus and fodder, with emphasis on strengthening collaboration among stakeholders. Participants also called for closer links between academia and industry to support innovation, knowledge sharing and commercialisation of research.

Officials stressed that climate change is emerging as a major threat to food security, necessitating urgent adaptation measures. The adoption of modern technologies and improved farming techniques was identified as critical to sustaining agricultural output.

The initiative also highlights the growing role of agricultural research institutions, particularly in addressing plant diseases and enhancing resilience through advanced scientific methods.

The planned policy shift reflects a broader effort to make agriculture more productive and economically viable, while preparing the sector to cope with increasingly volatile environmental conditions.