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Islamabad: Rana Tanveer Hussain, Federal Minister for National Food Security & Research, chaired the Federal Committee on Agriculture (FCA) meeting for the Rabi Season (2026\u20132027) on October 7, 2026, at the Auditorium of P-Block, Pak Secretariat, Islamabad. Provincial Agriculture Departments, the State Bank of Pakistan, ZTBL, the Pakistan Meteorological Department, the Indus River System Authority, senior officers of the M\/o National Food Security & Research, the Chairman of PARC, and the heads of the Ministry\u2019s attached departments\u2014the Federal Seed Certification & Registration Department, the Pakistan Oilseed Department, and the Department of Plant Protection\u2014participated in the meeting both in person and virtually.<\/strong><\/p>\n Federal Minister welcome all the participants to the 27th Meeting of the Federal Committee on Agriculture for Rabi Season 2026\u201327. Agriculture is the backbone of our economy and food security, and our collective priority must be to increase productivity, reduce the cost of production, ensure efficient use of water and inputs, promote quality and climate-resilient seed, mechanization, modern technologies and strengthen market linkages. We are conscious of the challenges faced by our farmers due to rising input, energy and transportation costs, and the Government is taking measures to ensure affordable inputs and remunerative prices, including an appropriate wheat illustrative price.<\/p>\n Federal Minister further stated that the National Seed Policy, National Agricultural Biotechnology Policy and National Olive Policy have been approved, while the National Agri-Trade and Food Safety Authority has been established to strengthen quality, food safety and export competitiveness. We are also investing in human resource development by providing international training opportunities to agricultural graduates, including 100 graduates in the olive value chain and 1,000 graduates in China. The challenges facing agriculture require coordinated efforts by Federal and Provincial Governments, research institutions, academia, the private sector and farmers. I urge all participants to focus on practical, innovative and result-oriented measures that increase productivity, reduce production costs, improve farmers\u2019 incomes and strengthen national food security. I once again welcome you all and thank you for your valuable participation. The Federal Minister for NFS&R also emphasized the need to strengthen and improve the agricultural extension and advisory services of the provinces to ensure timely dissemination of modern technologies and best agricultural practices to farmers.<\/p>\n The performance of the seven Kharif crops was reviewed. Five out of the seven crops sugarcane, rice, maize, mungbean and chillies showed an increase in production compared to the previous year. The Committee reviewed the performance of the Kharif Crops (2025-26) and Production Plan for Rabi Crops (2026-27). The Committee also discussed the situation of inputs for Rabi Crops (2026-27). The Committee was informed that Sugarcane production for 2025-26 is provisionally estimated at 97.2 million tons from an area of 1.358 million hectares showing an increase of 18.5% and 21.1% in area and production respectively over the targets fixed by the FCA. Rice production for 2025-26 is estimated at 10.182 million tons from an area of 3.902 million hectares showing an increase of 28.4% in area 11.0% in production over the targets fixed by the FCA. Maize production for 2025-26 is estimated 9.97 million tons from an area 1.83 million hectares, showing an increase of 21.0% in area and 3.2% in production over the target fixed by the FCA. Mungbean production for 2025-26 is estimated at 171.02 thousand tons from an area of 225.70 thousand hectares showing an increase of 32.3% in area and 14.8% in production over the targets fixed by the FCA. The chillies has also shown growth in area, production and yield as compared to the previous year. It was also decided that the targets of the crops for Rabi 2026-27 will be finalized after the announcement of illustrative price for wheat.<\/p>\n The seed availability for Rabi Crops was also discussed in the house and DG, FSC&RD informed that availability of certified seed for the Rabi, 2026-27 will remain satisfactory.<\/p>\n For Rabi 2026-27, IRSA Advisory Committee with the consensus of all stakeholders, based on Rim station Inflows of 21.268 MAF, indicating an anticipating shortage of 22% for Punjab and Sindh. Provinces are allocated 29.18 MAF of water.<\/p>\n Metrological Department informed that soil moisture stress is expected during Sep-Nov due to below normal rains reported during the last three months including monsoon season and expected below normal precipitation during September. However, the situation is likely to improve due to mostly above normal rains expected during October and November.<\/p>\n Isolated showers\/hails\/windows may damage the standing Kharif crops, particularly in the northwestern parts of the country. Considerable amount of water would be available for irrigation particularly over the upper half, during the forecast period. However, judicious use of available water stock is recommended for the lower half of the country for upcoming Rabi crops.<\/p>\n In pursuance of government\u2019s agenda for promotion of agriculture sector, to increase flow of credit to agriculture sector, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) allocated indicative agricultural credit disbursement target of Rs. 3,062 bn for FY 2026 which was 19% higher than preceding year\u2019s disbursement of Rs 2,573bn. Currently, 47 formal financial institutions are providing agriculture loans to the farming community, which include 5 major commercial banks, 12 medium and small sized domestic private banks, 6 Islamic banks, 02 specialized banks (ZTBL & PPCBL), 11 microfinance banks and 11 Microfinance Institutions\/Rural Support Programs (MFIs\/RSPs). During FY26, the agricultural lending institutions disbursed Rs 3,231.6 bn, which was 24.7% of the overall annual target of Rs. 2, 592.<\/p>\n An estimated 3,950 thousand tons of urea will be available overall in 2026\u20132027, consisting of 3,185 thousand tons of domestic production and 765 thousand tons of opening balance. The anticipated urea offtake is around 3,596 thousand tons. In contrast to the anticipated offtake of 838 thousand tons, the total availability of DAP will be 766 thousand tons. The private sector will use imports to close the supply\/demand mismatch in DAP.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n