Agribusiness Development and Diversification Project

Agribusiness Development and Diversification Project

Ministry of Food and Agriculture

Government of Pakistan

The country's agro-industry comprises of various operations making it the largest industry of the economy in term of value added and creation of labor opportunities thereby having a strong pro-poor inter linkage. The manufacturing sector is concentrated in food and beverages and textiles (agro based industries) which together account for close to half of the values added in the sector. Currently the agriculture sector accounts for a quarter of the GDP but significantly contributes to labor creation (providing employment to more than 43 percent of the labor force)

Agribusiness Development and Diversification Project is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock , Government of Pakistan and the Asian Development Bank. Launched in 2005, the Project aims at enhancing economic growth and fostering employment generation through development of a competitive and sustainable agribusiness sector. For effective coordination with provincial governments and private sector, interventions are carried out through project implementation offices in all the provinces and special areas of the country.Initially focusing on horticulture and livestock and dairy sub-sectors, Project interventions would result in increased productivity, improved product quality, and value addition by addressing constraints throughout the product value chain from production to markets. The Project strategies are comprehensive and systemic and based on international best practices, designed to minimize market and institutional failures and rigidities.