Punjab and UK Join Forces to Revolutionize Farming and Livestock in Pakistan

LAHORE, May 31, 2025: Punjab’s government has formed a strategic partnership with the British High Commission to boost farmer livelihoods, fight climate change and curb dangerous animal diseases. The announcement follows a meeting in Lahore between Punjab’s Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani, and Ben Warrington, Head of the Lahore Office at the British High Commission.

Key Highlights of the Collaboration

• Interest-Free Loans and Modern Equipment: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s vision to modernize Punjab agriculture has already delivered interest-free credit through the Kissan Card and Livestock Card programs, allowing farmers to avoid exploitative middlemen. Now UK financial and technical support will accelerate these efforts.
• Rs 400 Billion Transformation Agenda: Punjab’s “Transforming Punjab Agriculture” program, backed by a Rs 400 billion budget, will accelerate access to high-quality seeds, efficient irrigation systems and state-of-the-art machinery. Last year, 9,500 tractors reached farmers with a Rs 1 million subsidy each.
• Fighting Climate Change and Reducing Smog: To cut seasonal smog and lower crop costs, Punjab provided 5,000 subsidized super seeders. Four “Agri Malls” will open across the province, serving as one-stop hubs where farmers can rent modern equipment at minimal rates.
• Boosting Milk and Meat Production: A new breed improvement program will roll out in ten districts, ensuring high-quality animal semen is available in local markets at affordable rates. As Minister Kirmani explained, improving livestock genetics will enhance both milk and meat yields and lift incomes for smallholders.
• Foot-and-Mouth Disease Control Zones: Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has long plagued the livestock sector. In the upcoming provincial budget, two dedicated FMD “Super Zones” and five specialized compartments will strengthen disease surveillance, vaccination programs and rapid response measures.

Punjab places immense value on the UK’s expertise and financial backing in livestock development,” said Minister Kirmani. “Through collaboration, we will learn best practices from Britain, where animal health, genetic improvement and sustainable farming have a strong tradition of success.

UK Endorsement: Expertise, Technical Aid and Funding

Ben Warrington, who leads the Lahore Office of the British High Commission, praised Punjab’s multifaceted reforms. He stated that the UK fully understands the challenges faced by Punjab’s farmers such as water scarcity and disease outbreaks and intends to help the province move into a new era of climate-resilient, technology-driven agriculture.

Warrington outlined how British support may take several forms, including sharing expertise on animal breeding and disease control, strengthening university linkages between Pakistani and UK institutions, and mobilizing grant funding or low-cost loans for sustainable agriculture initiatives.

Strengthening University and Research Linkages

Both sides emphasized the importance of research collaboration. Punjab will seek partnerships with leading UK universities, such as the University of Nottingham’s School of Veterinary Medicine and the Institute of Agricultural Technology at the University of Reading, to exchange knowledge on climate-smart crops, livestock nutrition and precision farming technologies.

Dr. Muhammad Anjum Ali, consultant to the Punjab agriculture department, noted that improved research linkages will foster:

• Joint Research Projects: Collaborative studies on heat-tolerant crop varieties and methane-reducing livestock feeds.
• Student and Faculty Exchanges: Short-term fellowships for Pakistani researchers at UK centers of excellence and vice versa.
• Innovation Incubators: Pilot programs to test drones for crop monitoring, mobile apps for market price tracking and cold-chain solutions for dairy.

What This Means for Punjab’s 12 Million Farmers

Punjab is Pakistan’s breadbasket, contributing over 75 percent of the country’s wheat and rice production and supporting more than 12 million farming families. By tackling systemic issues such as exploitative financing, outdated irrigation and rampant animal diseases, the new partnership promises benefits across rural communities:

1. Higher Incomes: Reduced input costs and higher yields could boost an average farmer’s annual revenue by 15–20 percent.
2. Cleaner Air: Subsidized super seeders help manage crop residue without burning, lowering local smog levels during winter months.
3. Food Security: Enhanced milk and meat production will strengthen dietary quality for millions of Pakistanis.
4. Job Creation: Agri Malls and service centers will generate new opportunities for technicians, mechanics and agronomy extension officers.

Naveed Ismat Kahloon, Director General of Agriculture Information Punjab, pointed out that this UK-Punjab alliance is more than policy talk. It is a blueprint showing how governments can partner with international allies to drive real change on the ground, right where farmers need support most.

Why the World Is Watching

• Model for South Asia: If successful, Punjab’s blueprint could be replicated in other high-density farming regions of India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
• Climate Resilience: As South Asia braces for more erratic rainfall and rising temperatures, Punjab’s adoption of climate-smart farming will serve as a global case study in adaptation.
• Animal Health Revolution: Controlling FMD in a province that houses over 50 million cattle, goats and sheep could drastically improve regional food supply chains.

What’s Next?

Over the coming months, working groups from both Punjab and the British High Commission will finalize project plans, allocate funding and set measurable targets. Key milestones include:

• Launch of FMD Zones: Targeted roll-out in select districts by October 2025.
• First Agri Mall Opening: Scheduled for Faisalabad by November 2025, with three more to follow.
• Pilot Seed and Genetic Programs: Launch in three districts by early 2026.
• University MOUs: Signing ceremonies planned for mid-2025, linking Pakistani and UK research institutes.

These initiatives will be closely tracked by farmer associations, industry groups and development agencies. With social media buzzing hashtags like #PunjabAgriReform and #FarmersFirst trending—many believe this story could become one of Pakistan’s most widely shared agricultural success stories.

Have Your Say!

Do you think Punjab’s bold reforms can lift millions of farmers out of poverty and make Pakistani agriculture a global leader in innovation? Share your thoughts on social media using #PunjabAgriReform.