Farooq Awan

The Ministry of National Food Security and Research has detailed a coordinated nationwide plan for post-flood agricultural recovery, outlining financial support, input provision and infrastructure restoration measures being implemented with provincial governments to revive farming activities and protect food production in affected regions.

According to the ministry’s official document, the recovery framework focuses on restoring damaged farmland, compensating farmers for crop and livestock losses, rehabilitating irrigation systems and ensuring the timely availability of seeds and fertilisers ahead of the Rabi season. The ministry is coordinating closely with provinces to facilitate implementation and monitor progress of relief and rehabilitation measures.

The document notes that floods caused widespread disruption to agricultural land, irrigation networks and livestock across several districts, affecting cultivation cycles and rural livelihoods. In response, the ministry has consolidated provincial initiatives under a coordinated strategy aimed at enabling farmers to resume cultivation and maintain continuity in food supplies.

Provincial governments, as recorded in the document, have mobilised significant resources to address crop and livestock losses. Measures include direct financial assistance to farmers, targeted support for smallholders and schemes to rehabilitate damaged agricultural assets. The ministry has outlined that these interventions are intended to provide immediate relief while supporting the restoration of normal farm operations.

Restoration of irrigation infrastructure is identified as a key component of the recovery effort. The document states that repairs to canals, distributaries and watercourses are underway in affected areas to ensure the availability of water for cultivation. These works are aimed at enabling timely sowing and preventing further setbacks to agricultural production. In addition, the document highlights the rehabilitation of rural connectivity, including repairs to farm-to-market roads and related infrastructure damaged by floodwaters.

Restoring access routes is expected to facilitate the movement of inputs to farms and the transportation of harvested produce to markets. The ministry has also underscored the importance of supplying agricultural inputs to farmers. According to the document, provincial authorities are distributing certified seeds and fertilisers to affected growers to help them resume planting activities.

The provision of inputs is intended to reduce production constraints and support continuity in crop cultivation. The document further notes that provincial recovery packages are being tailored according to the scale of losses in each region. Assistance is being prioritised for small and vulnerable farmers to ensure that support reaches those most affected by the floods. Cash payments, input subsidies and infrastructure rehabilitation form the main components of these packages.

Overall, the ministry’s document presents the recovery process as a coordinated national effort combining federal oversight with provincial implementation. The outlined measures are aimed at restoring agricultural operations, supporting rural communities and maintaining food production in the aftermath of the floods.

Credit: INP-WealthPk