ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has officially launched the Land Information and Management System (LIMS) – Center of Excellence. The initiative aims to improve food security, boost agricultural exports, and transform unused land throughout Pakistan.
The government’s statement highlights that the establishment of the Land Information and Management System (LIMS) aims to enhance food security and agricultural exports. Additionally, it aims to alleviate the strain on the national exchequer by reducing imports.
The ceremony was graced by the presence of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir, along with ministers of finance, defense, planning development & special initiatives, national food security & research, information, chief secretaries of provincial governments, agricultural experts, and senior army officials.
The advanced Land Information and Management System (LIMS) will revolutionize agricultural production. It will employ innovative technologies and sustainable precision agricultural practices based on the agroecological potential of the land. It aims to ensure the well-being of rural communities, preserve the environment, and optimize agricultural yield.
The GIS-based LIMS will play a vital role in enhancing national agricultural output. It will achieve this by digitizing the agriculture sector and providing real-time information to local farmers regarding soil, crops, weather, water resources, and pest monitoring through remote sensing and geospatial technologies. It will also minimize the involvement of intermediaries through an efficient marketing system.
According to the World Food Programme, 36.9% of Pakistanis face food insecurity, and 18.3% are in severe food crises. Collaborative projects with countries such as Saudi Arabia, China, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, and Bahrain will contribute to increased agricultural exports from Pakistan.
Furthermore, in order to enhance agricultural practices, there are plans to undertake the construction of new canals to store floodwater. To enhance agricultural practices, farmers will pursue modern irrigation techniques like modular drip, sprinkler, and pivot irrigation. Such strategies would further upgrade the agricultural sector of the country to an enhanced level.
