The federal government has announced immediate relief and rehabilitation measures for farmers affected by the recent floods, alongside long-term strategies to develop climate-resilient agriculture.
The decision was made during the first meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Agriculture and Climate/Flood Emergencies, chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal on Monday.
Speaking at the meeting, the minister said that extending short-, medium-, and long-term relief to flood-hit farmers was the government’s top priority. “Provincial governments, in partnership with the federal government, must take swift steps to ensure that affected farmers are compensated and supported for the upcoming Rabi season,” he stressed.
Citing data shared by the Pakistan Business Forum (PBF), Iqbal noted that floods had damaged over 1.3 million acres of agricultural land in Punjab. He particularly emphasised the urgency of distributing canola seeds within 15 days, leveraging the soil moisture left behind by the floods.
“I have arranged a 5,000-acre canola seed pilot project in Narowal through corporate sponsorship because we cannot afford to lose time. This is a moment for urgent action—we must not waste it,” he said.
Ahsan Iqbal further underlined the need to move beyond traditional crops and focus on high-value alternatives such as canola, which promise higher returns and strong market demand. He also stressed expanding interest-free loan schemes and shifting gradually toward private insurance mechanisms to shield farmers from recurring climate shocks.
The minister directed the establishment of three dedicated taskforces, in consultation with federal ministries and provincial governments. These taskforces will submit reports within 15 days covering:
Immediate agricultural relief and seed provision,
Climate change impacts and resilience strategies, and
Infrastructure strengthening for climate resilience.
“Climate change is no longer a one-time event; floods, droughts, and other shocks are becoming permanent features of our environment. We must, therefore, build a long-term framework to ensure food security, resilience, and sustainable growth,” Iqbal remarked.
Member Infrastructure Waqas Anwar briefed the committee on its objectives, stating that it will design both immediate and medium-term support packages for affected farmers, while also reviewing the broader impact of climate change on agriculture, livestock, agro-based industries, and exports.
Federal Ministers Musaddiq Malik (Climate Change), Awais Leghari (Power), Mian Riaz Hussain (Housing & Works), and provincial agriculture and finance ministers attended the meeting, along with senior officials from the Planning Commission, Climate Change Division, and Water Management departments.
