The federal government has set a target of increasing agricultural financing to Rs. 1.5 trillion by June 2027 to improve farmers’ access to credit and strengthen Pakistan’s agriculture sector.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the target during a meeting with the heads of 10 major commercial banks in Islamabad on Friday. He urged financial institutions to expand lending, particularly for small farmers, and improve access to funding for agricultural activities.
Agricultural Financing Reaches Rs. 1,352 Billion
According to an official briefing, agricultural loans reached Rs. 1,352 billion by the end of September 2026, benefiting 3,455,313 people. However, the government aims to increase the number of beneficiaries to 4.5 million by June 2027.
The prime minister stressed that agricultural financing plays a crucial role in improving farmers’ livelihoods, increasing crop production, and strengthening food security. Therefore, he directed banks to prioritise small farmers and help them adopt modern farming techniques to improve productivity.
Sharif also called for broader access to financial resources, emphasising that commercial banks should ensure smaller agricultural borrowers receive appropriate support. The initiative aims to promote investment and economic growth while improving agricultural output.
Government Reviews Housing and SME Lending
Meanwhile, the meeting reviewed progress under the Apna Ghar Programme and financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Officials reported that banks had approved Rs. 426 billion in housing loans, although they had disbursed only Rs. 76 billion.
For fiscal year 2026–27, the government aims to provide Rs. 700 billion in housing financing to support the construction and delivery of 125,000 housing units.
In the SME sector, approximately 350,862 business owners have received loans worth Rs. 1,137 billion. The government plans to increase SME financing to Rs. 1.5 trillion and expand the number of beneficiaries to 565,000 by June 2027.
Sharif urged authorities to reduce delays between loan approvals and disbursements so beneficiaries can access funds promptly.
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