ISLAMABAD, March 25 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that his country would focus more on the progress of the agriculture sector to boost economic growth, ensure food security and earn valuable foreign exchange.

"Pakistan has to increase the share of agriculture in the country's economy as about 65 percent of our population, directly or indirectly, is associated with agriculture," the prime minister said during an event here on Monday.

He said that the timely availability of good quality seeds, fertilizers, and medicines will bring revolution in the field of agriculture, resulting in increased exports, adding that the government is taking steps for local manufacturing of agriculture machinery, including combined harvesters.

Highlighting the various measures to strengthen the agriculture sector, Sharif said that all the stakeholders, including provincial governments, farmers, researchers and scientists, should join hands to further develop the sector with the support of the center.

Pakistan has been wasting precious foreign exchange reserves on the import of palm oil and there is a need to reverse the trend by increasing local production, he said.

"We should put our act together to take part in the progress of the country. We would work hard to change our agriculture sector," the prime minister said. Enditem

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