Agri-output as vital as industrial productivity

A five-day international workshop on smart agriculture began in Lahore on November 2, alongside the presentation of the Asian Productivity Organisation (APO) National Productivity Awards 2025. National Productivity Organisation chief executive Muhammad Alamgir Chaudhry said farm productivity matters as much as industrial output because of agriculture’s role in food security, jobs and supplying industry with raw materials.

According to a statement reported by The Express Tribune, the workshop runs until November 6 and will cover sustainable soil management, data-led farming, product quality and value addition. Chaudhry said smarter farming and more efficient use of resources could strengthen links between agriculture and industry and open opportunities for agro-based businesses.

Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Industries and Production Nadeemur Rehman called for modernising traditional farming through technology, sustainable soil practices and improved resource use. He connected farm modernisation with URAAN Pakistan and the 5Es National Economic Transformation Plan; the awards recognised productivity gains, innovation and operational excellence.