ISLAMABAD: In a bold move to streamline governance, the federal government has decided to overhaul 16 entities under the Ministry of Food and National Security. The plan includes merging, abolishing, and devolving institutions to provinces, aiming to reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies and cut costs.
The initiative, approved by the federal cabinet, is part of a broader rightsizing policy targeting a 30% reduction in the ministry’s scale by January 2025. Officials revealed that the changes aim to digitize operations, eliminate redundancy, and focus resources on critical functions.
Key Changes Underway
- Mergers & Streamlining:
- The Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department (FSCRD) will merge with the National Seeds Development and Regulatory Authority (NSDRA), creating a lean, digitized entity. Staff positions will be halved, retaining only technical experts.
- The Agriculture Policy Institute will integrate with the economic wing, retaining just 20-25% of its workforce based on technical expertise.
- Rightsizing and Devolution:
- The Department of Plant Protection (DPP) and Animal Quarantine Department (AQD) will see a 50% workforce cut, focusing on international obligations like WTO compliance.
- The National Veterinary Laboratory and functions of the Livestock and Dairy Development Board (LDDB) and Fisheries Development Board (FDB) will be transferred to provinces.
- Winding Up Non-Essential Units:
- The Federal Water Management Cell (FWMC) and Pakistan Oilseed Department will be shut down, with residual functions transferred to provinces.
- The Pakistan Tobacco Board, Pakistan Cotton Committee (PCCC), and Pakistan Cotton Standard Institute (PCSI) will consolidate essential functions under the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) and cease other operations.
- Third-Party Reviews:
- Independent assessments will determine the future of the National Fertiliser Development Centre (NFDC), Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO), and PARC. Options under consideration include privatization, maintaining emergency reserves, or minimal operations.
The government emphasizes that the rightsizing drive is not just about cuts but about modernization. “We aim to enhance capabilities, digitalize operations, and eliminate duplication,” a senior official said. The move also aims to align with fiscal realities while maintaining critical services.
A comprehensive plan, including performance reviews and a roadmap for self-sufficiency, will be submitted to the rightsizing committee by January 20, 2025.
This bold reform is aimed at reducing the staff-to-officer ratio, trim the bureaucratic pyramid, and save resources, making the Ministry of Food and National Security more agile and efficient.
However sources believe that the move too may create multiple issues at domestic and international forums as the rightsizing initiatives seem being taken in haste and without due deliberation and calculation.
