Pakistan Agriculture News / Discussions

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Livestock is the faster-moving countryside​

A final finding receives too little attention: livestock has expanded much faster than crop acreage. Between the livestock censuses of 2006 and 2024, cattle numbers increased by 89 per cent, buffalo by 75 per cent, sheep by 68 per cent and goats by 78 per cent.

Taken together, these four major species rose by about 78 per cent. The number of in-milk cows increased by 140 per cent and in-milk buffalo by 111 per cent.

By comparison, between 2010 and 2024 cultivated area grew by 24 per cent, cropped area by 22 per cent and orchard area by 42 per cent. The periods and units are different, so this is not a direct productivity comparison.

It nevertheless suggests that the livestock economy is becoming an increasingly important source of rural resilience, household assets, nutrition and cash income.

Policy still treats livestock as an appendix to crops. Veterinary services, feed markets, breeding, disease surveillance, milk collection and cold chains should move much closer to the centre of agricultural planning.

 

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Early cotton arrivals hit record 527,900 bales​

Amjad Mahmood
July 19, 2026

LAHORE: Pakistan’s cotton arrivals increased by a record 77.3 per cent by July 15 compared to the same period last year, marking the strongest early-season recovery in years.

However, experts warned that adverse weather, rising input costs, and the deepening crisis in the textile industry could still threaten the final crop output.

According to the first production report for cotton season 2026-27 released by the Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) on Saturday, total seed cotton arrivals at ginning factories reached 527,900 bales by July 15, up by 230,149 bales from 297,751 bales recorded during the corresponding period last year.

Cotton Ginners Forum Chairman Ihsanul Haq said Punjab contributed 201,497 bales, an increase of 38.9pc over last year, while Sindh recorded a remarkable 326,403 bales, registering a 113.8pc rise. Balochistan also posted a 90pc increase, with arrivals rising from 5,100 to 9,700 bales.

Sindh output doubles, Punjab’s jumps 38.9pc

 

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PM welcomes Chinese investment to modernise Pakistan’s grain storage infrastructure​

FAMSUN will establish a green silo demonstration centre, upgrade existing storage facilities and provide technology transfer and workforce training under an agreement with Green Pakistan Initiative

July 24, 2026
1 min read

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday welcomed Chinese agribusiness company FAMSUN’s plan to modernise Pakistan’s grain storage infrastructure through new green silo facilities, technology transfer and workforce training.

The prime minister discussed the initiative during a meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office with a delegation led by FAMSUN Chief Executive Officer Jack Chen.

Officials briefed the meeting that FAMSUN intends to establish a demonstration centre for green silos in Pakistan and upgrade existing grain storage centres into modern facilities.

A memorandum of understanding has already been signed between FAMSUN and the Green Pakistan Initiative.

Shehbaz said the project would support the introduction of modern agricultural technology and promote commercial activity in the sector.

He directed that skills development and training for Pakistani workers be included in the proposed projects to strengthen local capacity.

The prime minister said stronger business-to-business cooperation would further deepen Pakistan-China relations, which he described as continuing to expand through economic collaboration.


Jack Chen thanked the prime minister and the Government of Pakistan for their hospitality.

He recalled meeting Shehbaz during the prime minister’s recent visit to China, which led to FAMSUN’s visit to Pakistan to explore practical cooperation in food security.

Federal Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain, Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani, Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar and senior government officials attended the meeting.