LAHORE, Sept 27: Convener of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Regional Committee on Food Shahid Imran on Sunday said greater private-sector investment in seeds and agricultural supply chains could significantly increase crop yields, boost exports and strengthen the rural economy.

Speaking at a seminar on “Food Security” held here today, he said Pakistan needed a policy reset focused on diversification, innovation and greater private-sector participation in crop categories where import dependence was particularly high, especially oilseeds and pulses.

He said agricultural priorities must be aligned with food security, crop diversification and export competitiveness, adding that Pakistan was endowed with vast arable land, diverse climatic conditions and a large agricultural workforce.

Shahid Imran said Pakistan had the potential to achieve self-sufficiency in major food staples by bringing its entire arable land under cultivation while maintaining productivity, quality and value addition in line with international standards.

He cautioned that climate change, rapid population growth and continued volatility in global commodity prices could further increase Pakistan’s vulnerability to food insecurity.

He said rising food imports were placing additional pressure on the country’s limited foreign exchange reserves, despite a substantial proportion of the workforce being associated with agriculture.

The FPCCI office-bearer stressed the urgent need to reform and reset agricultural policies with a focus on achieving higher yields across all major crops, meeting domestic food requirements and reducing import dependence.

He said such measures were essential to strengthen food security and address emerging threats in light of the changing global and regional economic environment.