Agricultural Land Use Intensity in Pakistan

Pakistan's agriculture sector remains the backbone of its economy, contributing 22.9% to the national GDP and providing livelihoods for nearly 37.4% of the labor force (Pakistan Economic Survey, 2022-23). It not only feeds the population but also supports the country’s textile exports and rural development. Over the past two decades, in response to population growth, market demand, and climate pressures, the sector has undergone a marked transformation. Traditional subsistence farming is characterized by low inputs and modest yields has given way to input-intensive production systems. This shift is evident in the rise of national cropping intensity, which increased from around 112% in 2000 to more than 140% by 2023 (Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, 2023).

While this intensification has contributed to higher output, it has also generated profound challenges. Heavy reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides has deteriorated soil fertility, while over-extraction of groundwater for irrigation has led to alarming declines in aquifer levels. Simultaneously, the uneven distribution of inputs and technologies has widened socio-economic inequalities. Large-scale farmers are better positioned to benefit from mechanization and credit access, while smallholders often face debt burdens, low bargaining power, and vulnerability to climate shocks. These disparities not only constrain inclusive growth but also exacerbate rural poverty.

The challenge ahead is to balance productivity gains with long-term sustainability. Moving toward sustainable intensification practices that increase yields without exhausting natural resources is essential. This involves integrating climate-smart agriculture, promoting efficient irrigation technologies such as drip systems, diversifying cropping patterns, and scaling up renewable energy solutions for mechanization. Equally critical is ensuring policy support for smallholder farmers through credit access, training, and equitable resource allocation.

Thus, Pakistan’s agriculture now stands at a crossroads: it must transition from short-term yield maximization toward a more resilient and sustainable model that secures food, livelihoods, and environmental stability for future generations.

Changing Patterns of Land Use Intensity: Trends and Consequences

The intensification of agriculture in Pakistan is most visible across the irrigated plains of the Indus Basin, where fertile soils and a vast canal system have long supported national food security. Over the last two decades, the expansion of rice–wheat and cotton–wheat rotations have pushed cropping intensity to nearly 140%, with Punjab and Sindh leading this transformation (GoP, 2023). In Punjab, often called Pakistan’s agricultural heartland, more than 70% of farmers now practice double cropping, while a growing number attempt triple cropping in areas where tube wells or canal water ensure year-round irrigation (PARC, 2024).

Yet, this surge in productivity masks profound inequalities. Large landowners, who enjoy greater access to credit, mechanization, and reliable irrigation, have intensified farming far more successfully. By contrast, smallholders who represent more than 64% of farm holdings (Agricultural Census, 2020) struggle to keep pace. According to the World Bank (2023), only about one in four small farmers have regular access to dependable canal water, compared with more than 80% of medium and large farmers. The productivity gap is stark: wheat and cotton yields on farms smaller than five acres lag behind those of larger farms by 20–30% (FAO, 2023). This dual structure risks widening rural inequality even as overall output expands.

The environmental costs of intensification are equally troubling. Groundwater extraction, especially in central Punjab and lower Sindh, is depleting aquifers at an unsustainable rate of 0.5 to 1.0 meters annually (IUCN, 2023). Soil salinity already compromises over 6.3 million hectares of farmland (PARC, 2024), while inefficient use of fertilizers particularly nitrogen, with an efficiency rate of only 30–35% contributes both to economic waste and environmental contamination through leaching and runoff (IFPRI, 2024).

Policy Pathways for Sustainable Intensification

Pakistan’s agricultural future depends on reconciling productivity gains with long-term sustainability and social equity. The structural challenges of water scarcity, land degradation, and rural inequality require not fragmented fixes but a comprehensive, integrated policy framework. Lessons from regional models, such as India’s digital land record reforms or Bangladesh’s promotion of climate-smart rice practices, provide valuable insights that can be contextualized for Pakistan.

Land and water governance reforms must be placed at the center of this agenda. Legislation that regulates unsustainable groundwater extraction, combined with practical incentives for the adoption of High-Efficiency Irrigation Systems (HEIS), offers one of the most immediate avenues for conservation. At present, fewer than 8% of irrigated farms employ drip or sprinkler irrigation (World Bank, 2023). Scaling these systems could cut water use by 30–50% for major crops, alleviating mounting pressure on aquifers. Simultaneously, digitizing land records and enforcing tenurial security would encourage tenants and smallholders to make long-term investments in soil fertility, organic matter restoration, and water-saving technologies.

Financial and technical empowerment of smallholders is equally critical. Expanding instruments like the Kisan Card to subsidize climate-resilient inputs drought-tolerant seeds, biofertilizers, and integrated pest management solutions can narrow the resource gap. Complementary training through Farmer Field Schools and digital platforms would build farmer capacity. Bangladesh’s successful experience with Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) in rice, which cut water use by 30% without yield loss (FAO, 2022), illustrates the potential impact of such targeted interventions.

Finally, post-harvest infrastructure must be strengthened to reduce waste and improve income. Currently, losses for fruits and vegetables reach 35–40% due to weak cold chains and rural logistics (PARC, 2024). Strategic investments in cold storage, processing hubs, and efficient rural transport can reduce these losses significantly, thereby easing pressure on land expansion and enhancing farmer profitability.

Conclusion

Pakistan’s agricultural sector stands at a defining moment in its history. The past two decades of intensification have undeniably boosted cropping intensity and overall output, but these gains have come with mounting economic and environmental costs. Unequal access to resources has widened the divide between large landholders and small farmers, reinforcing structural inequalities that limit inclusive growth. At the same time, excessive reliance on groundwater and inefficient fertilizer use are eroding the very natural capital upon which agriculture depends. Left unaddressed, these challenges threaten both food security and rural livelihoods.

Yet the path forward is clear. Sustainable intensification anchored in water-efficient technologies, diversified cropping systems, and climate-smart practices offers the means to reconcile productivity with conservation. Stronger land and water governance, combined with targeted financial and technical support for smallholders, can narrow existing inequalities. Strategic investment in post-harvest infrastructure will reduce losses and enhance value addition, directly raising rural incomes.

Ultimately, the future of Pakistan’s agriculture depends not only on higher yields but on building resilience and equity into its farming systems. By embracing integrated reforms and aligning productivity goals with environmental stewardship, Pakistan can secure a more inclusive, sustainable, and food-secure agricultural economy for generations to come.

References: FAO; GoP; IFPRI; IUCN; PARC; World Bank.

Please note that the views expressed in this article are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of any organization.

The writer is affiliated with the Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agricultural Social Science, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, Pakistan and can be reached at sarmadveesar61@gmail.com

Related Stories