During the year 2023-24 (Jul-Feb), five major commercial banks had a lending target of Rs1,147 million, but they provided only Rs753.9 million, or 65.7%.
Total disbursement of agricultural credit remained at 63.8% in FY24 and 54.3% in FY25. For fiscal 2025-26, the lending target has been set at Rs2,599.9 million, revealed the Annual Plan 2025-26.
The government had allocated funds under the FY25 Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for food and agriculture-related schemes in different divisions, with the Ministry of National Food Security and Research getting the highest allocation of Rs23,928 million for 26 projects (18 ongoing and eight new) out of a total cost of Rs201,650 million.
In FY25, the production of major crops was affected negatively as compared to the previous fiscal year. Different factors contributed to the dismal performance, especially changes in weather patterns, low wheat prices, delayed payments to sugarcane growers and sluggish disbursement of agricultural credit for buying inputs.
In the outgoing fiscal year 2024-25, the production of gram and lentil fell significantly short of targets due to the contraction in cultivation areas. Potato and onion crops, however, performed strongly, surpassing both area and production targets.
Mash production showed improvement while tomato harvest was a bit short of the goal. Overall, the data reflects strong growth trends in vegetable crops while pulse production remained a challenge due to the limited area under plantations along with other issues.
Urea output had been on a consistent decline over past years and, therefore, the target for FY26 has been set at a moderate level.
Di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) fertiliser offtake increased slightly in FY25 to 901,000 tons while SOP/MOP fertilisers surpassed the target. Keeping in view the overall position, the total offtake in FY26 is expected to remain around 4.077 million tons.
Wheat seed requirement in FY26 is estimated at 1,165,500m tons. Cottonseed availability in FY24 was 25,424.6m tons. However, for 2024-25, the requirement was 54,672m tons, against which the availability was quite low. Paddy seed availability surpassed the requirement during FY25, however, maize faced a significant shortfall and it is expected that the situation will persist in future as well
In Kharif sowing season, water availability for irrigation during FY25 remained adequate when compared with a year earlier. Keeping in view the trend, the target has been set at 63.8 million acre feet (MAF) for the upcoming year.
In Rabi season, water availability decreased from 31.7 MAF in FY24 to 30.6 MAF in FY25. However, it is expected that the availability may increase to 31.8 MAF in FY26. Overall, water availability for irrigation was adequate during both seasons.
Meat production remained a bit lower at 5.967 million tons during 2024-25 as compared to the target of 6.138 million tons, with almost steady growth in mutton and poultry output. Milk production rose during 2024-25 as compared to a year earlier.
Similar improvements were found in the case of eggs, hides, skins and wool. Owing to the steady improvement, targets for all these components have been set a bit higher for 2025-26.
In the background of ongoing initiatives and the prime focus of the Ministry of National Food Security on sub-sectors, it is anticipated that programmes for 2025-26 will involve supporting agricultural productivity through technology, enhancing livestock development and promoting research and innovation.
Salient development initiatives will commence in the coming year alongside already running ones by the Ministry of National Food Security. The initiatives include the establishment of seed certification laboratories in Khuzdar, Turbat and Loralai and the National Oilseed Enhancement Programme.