Agriculture sector records robust growth

The agriculture sector in Pakistan witnessed robust growth in 2023-24, with an overall increase of 6.25%, contributing significantly to the economy, according to the finance minister. The sector, which contributes 24% to the national GDP, emerged as a saviour for the outgoing fiscal year. According to the Economic Survey of Pakistan 2022-23, released on Tuesday, the crops sub-sector saw a remarkable growth of 11.03%, a significant improvement compared to the previous year. Within this sub-sector, important crops experienced a substantial surge, growing by 16.82%, reflecting a solid recovery and significant production increase. Other crops had a modest growth of 0.90%, showing stability. Notable contributions came from fruits (8.40%), vegetables (5.77%), and pulses (1.45%). The cotton ginning sector saw a dramatic 47.23% increase, marking a massive rebound from previous declines and significantly boosting the overall crop sub-sector.