PM Shehbaz approves new NARC master plan

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has signed off on a fresh master plan for the National Agriculture Research Centre, according to Business Recorder, with the aim of reorganising the body and bringing its research facilities up to global norms. He ordered that the reforms be finished as early as possible and asked that both NARC and the Pakistan Agriculture Research Council become more proactive.

Under the plan, NARC will be divided into seven districts to match international requirements. New facilities will include five Centres of Excellence, reference laboratories, bio-repositories, a research park for private firms, an international cooperation centre, living labs, and a public discovery park. The PM also wants a comprehensive system for national crop estimates, built after consulting every stakeholder.

The meeting heard that the Agriculture Innovation and Growth Plan 2026-27 has moved faster on priority measures, covering farm credit, machinery, digital tools, research, and food security. Officials also highlighted artificial intelligence and modern technology, plus organic farming steps aimed at lifting exports and rural incomes. Work is moving quickly on pilot clusters in Balochistan focused on cotton and dates, a nationwide organic framework, group certification, and digital traceability.