To improve the growth and performance of Pakistan's agriculture sector, it is necessary that there be a "Roadmap" that provides guidance and directions in the form of specific agricultural polices and strategies, and that is integrated with the Government's Poverty Reduction Strategy Peper (PRSP) and the Ten- Year Perspective Development Plan 2001-2011. In view of FAG's leading technical expertise in all aspects of agriculture, global reach, and dedication to knowledge management, the Government has sought its assistance in evolving coherent macro-level policies and integrated strategies to advance agriculture sector growth and performance.

In response to Pakistan's changing situation and priorities, and building on its niche capabilities, FAO is increasingly focusing its Pakistan programme on six priority areas, which are listed below and briefly introdced in the following pages:

Developing the agriculture roadmap

Sharing knowledge to replicate best practices

Targeting hunger and poverty

Building capacities for growth

Helping stakeholders reposition agriculture

Responding to emergencies

Helping to unleash the national livestock sector potential
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Livestock is a very important component of Pakistan's agriculture sector; it accounts for nearly 50 percent of the total value of agricultural production and a significant proportion of export earnings. Through the "National Livestock Policy & Action Plan" (TCP/PAK/30m (An, FAG is assisting the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock (MINFAL) in updating Pakistan's Livestock Sector Policy Framework in line with the changes brought about by WTG agreements.

Supporting policy and strategy formulation for fisheries
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Under its Poverty Reduction Strategy, the Government places high priority on developing the little-exploited fisheries sector, which, despite its tremendous economic potential, makes a negligible 1-percent contribution to the country's gross national product (GN P).
In this regard, FAO's assistance project (TCP/PAK/3005(A) will comprehensively review the overall fisheries sector, provide support for participatory development of the sector's policy, and build the capacity of MINFAL and its provincial counterparts in preparing participatory fisheries sector analyses, and developing policies and strategies that will increase food security, improve the health status, and generate employment for the country's near-shore population.