ISLAMABAD: Pakis­tan is seeking Australian expertise to establish foot-and-mouth disease (FMD)-free zones and improve animal weight and yield to ensure profitability for farmers.

Food Security Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain met Australian High Commissioner Timothy Kane on Thursday and expressed the government’s desire to benefit from Australia’s expertise to enhance productivity, particularly amid growing global food security challenges.

Both sides held detailed discussions on improving agricultural and livestock yields, market access issues, biosecurity concerns, and expanding technical collaboration.

Mr Tanveer emphasised the central role of agriculture in Pakistan’s economy, stating that around 65 per cent of the population is directly or indirectly linked to agriculture, while 36pc of employment depends on this sector. Nearly 60pc of Pakistan’s agricultural economy is based on livestock, yet productivity remains low, he added.

He informed Mr Kane that the government has allocated Rs7.35 billion for two years to control FMD and initiated the establishment of free compartments, and is importing vaccines from Russia and China. The minister also pointed out that Pakistan’s average crop yield is around 30 maunds per acre, compared to 45 maunds per acre in India.

The high commissioner said Australia is digitising phytosanitary and related regulatory processes and will welcome Pakistani officials for technical exchanges and training.

They agreed to deepen cooperation in agriculture and livestock through technical collaboration, improved market access, regular engagement, and capacity building, with the shared objective of mutual benefit and enhanced regional food security.

Referring to horticulture, the minister stated that Pakistan aims to increase mango exports to Australia. While Australia has shown willingness to import more mangoes from Pakistan, certain technical and regulatory requirements remain challenging. Pakistan, he said, is ready to resolve all pending issues promptly.

Mr Tanveer further underlined that his ministry has shifted from reactive correspondence to proactive international engagement.

Haroon Akhtar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, was also present at the meeting and highlighted Australia’s success in achieving high agricultural yields with low water use, saying Pakistan could learn from this experience. He noted that reforms, including deregulation in the sugar sector, are underway.

Emphasising Pakis­tan’s large livestock population, he stressed the need for new breeds, certified slaughterhouses, and value addition to make Pakistani products competitive in international markets. He proposed that a Pakistani delegation should visit Australia to observe modern livestock and meat export facilities, given Australia’s position as one of the world’s leading meat exporters.

The livestock commissioner informed the meeting that several Aus­tralian-supported projects are already underway in Pakistan, particularly in dairy development, breed improvement, rangeland management, and capacity building. He stated that closer collaboration with Australia could significantly improve livestock productivity and export potential.

Published in Dawn, January 23rd, 2026