RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has inaugurated the Land Information and Management System (LIMS) – Center of Excellence, a transformative initiative aimed at enhancing food security, increasing agricultural exports, and revitalizing millions of acres of uncultivated and low-yield land across Pakistan.
The inauguration ceremony took place in Rawalpindi today, with the presence of high-ranking officials, including Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir.
The establishment of LIMS marks a significant milestone in improving food security and enhancing the country’s agricultural exports, thereby reducing the burden of imports on the national exchequer. This state-of-the-art system will utilize innovative technologies and sustainable precision agricultural practices based on the agro-ecological potential of the land. It aims to optimize agricultural production while ensuring the well-being of rural communities and the preservation of the environment.
LIMS for Digitizing Pakistan’s Agriculture
LIMS, based on Geographic Information System (GIS), will play a crucial role in digitizing agriculture and providing real-time information to local farmers about soil conditions, crop management, weather patterns, water resources, and pest monitoring through remote sensing and geospatial technologies. Additionally, it will contribute to minimizing the involvement of middlemen through an efficient marketing system.
The introduction of LIMS is particularly significant considering the current food security challenges in Pakistan. According to the World Food Programme, 36.9 percent of Pakistanis are food insecure, with 18.3 percent facing severe food crises. By leveraging LIMS, the government aims to address these issues by boosting agricultural productivity and ensuring a more efficient distribution of food resources.
The ceremony was attended by various government officials, including Ministers of Finance, Defence, Planning Development and Special Initiatives, National Food Security and Research, and Information, as well as Chief Secretaries of Provincial Governments, agricultural experts, and senior army officials.
