Evolution of Pakistan's Potato Sector

Agriculture remains the cornerstone of Pakistan’s economy, contributing 22.7% to the national GDP and providing employment to 37.4% of the labor force, as reported in the Economic Survey of Pakistan 2023–24. Among the country’s major crops, potatoes hold increasing importance, not only as a food staple but also as a driver of rural livelihoods and export revenues. Globally, potatoes are the third most consumed food crop after wheat and rice, with production exceeding 400 million metric tons (FAO, 2023).

Pakistan has positioned itself among the world’s top ten potato-producing nations, harvesting 5.2 million metric tons in 2023, an impressive 13% increase from 2020 (Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, 2024). Despite this growth, yields still fall short of international benchmarks, averaging around 20 MT per hectare. In contrast, countries like the Netherlands and India report yields of 45 MT/ha and 25 MT/ha, respectively (World Bank, 2023). Bridging this yield gap is critical to enhancing food security and increasing farm incomes. The Potato Growers Co-operative Society (PGCS) based in Okara, Punjab, plays a pivotal role in advancing productivity by supporting farmer training, facilitating access to high-quality seed, and promoting export-ready practices.

Potatoes contribute approximately 8% to Pakistan’s horticultural GDP (PHDEC, 2023), and their export potential continues to rise. In 2023 alone, Pakistan exported 180,000 MT of potatoes to regional and international markets including Afghanistan, the UAE, and Malaysia (Trade Development Authority, 2024). On the nutritional front, potatoes provide around 10% of the daily caloric intake for rural low-income populations, making them a vital component of food security (IFPRI, 2023). With continued investment in infrastructure, extension services, and export diversification, Pakistan’s potato sector is well-positioned to contribute significantly to inclusive agricultural growth and nutrition.

Empowering Potato Farmers: The Evolution and Impact of PGCS Okara

The Potato Growers Co-operative Society (PGCS), Okara, was founded in 1979 in response to the fragmented nature of potato farming, the scarcity of high-quality seed varieties, and weak market access that plagued farmers in the Punjab region. Since its inception, PGCS has grown into a transformative force in Pakistan’s potato sector, driven by a vision to modernize farming practices and enhance the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. Under the dynamic leadership of Mian Muhammad Siddique (President) and Ch. Muhammad Maqsood Ahmad Jatt (Vice President & Chairman, Potato Research Board Punjab), PGCS has made remarkable progress over the decades.

Between 1990 and 2024, the area under potato cultivation in Okara expanded from 28,000 acres to 150,000 acres, making it one of the largest potato-producing districts in the country. Average yields more than doubled during this period, rising from 150 maunds per acre (approximately 6 MT/ha) to 300 maunds per acre (12 MT/ha), thanks to improved agronomic practices and widespread farmer training. Over 10,000 farmers have benefited from PGCS-led training in modern techniques such as drip irrigation and integrated pest management (IPM).

PGCS has also been at the forefront of seed innovation, introducing three high-yield, disease-resistant potato varieties in collaboration with Punjab Agricultural University. These innovations have played a critical role in increasing national potato exports by 35% since 2020 (PHDEC, 2024). Internationally, PGCS has cultivated over 15 strategic partnerships, including with Dutch agri-tech firms to pilot aeroponic seed production systems and with the World Potato Congress, where it led Pakistan’s 2023 delegation and attracted $5 million in investment commitments.

PGCS’s advocacy efforts have significantly shaped policy as well. It successfully lobbied for tax exemptions on potato cold storage equipment and played a central role in establishing Punjab’s first Potato Research Institute in 2022. With this trajectory, PGCS continues to set a benchmark in cooperative-led agricultural development.

Overcoming Challenges and Building a Resilient Future for Pakistan’s Potato Sector

As PGCS Okara advances Pakistan’s potato industry, it faces a host of structural and environmental challenges. Chief among these is climate change, which has led to increased smog and fog in Punjab, causing a 20% yield decline in 2023. In response, PGCS is actively promoting the adoption of early-maturing and climate-resilient potato varieties that can be harvested before extreme weather events peak. Similarly, seed scarcity remains a persistent bottleneck, Pakistan needs over 400,000 metric tons of quality potato seeds annually, yet local production is below 15,000 MT (PARC, 2023). Only 2% of seed in circulation is certified. To address this, PGCS is setting up tissue culture labs, offering seed subsidies to farmers, and piloting community-based seed multiplication systems. Additionally, it has advocated for the removal of import duties on certified seed varieties to bridge immediate shortfalls.

Post-harvest losses also undermine sectoral growth, with an estimated 30% of potatoes harvested spoiled annually due to inadequate storage. PGCS is facilitating the expansion of cold storage networks through government-backed subsidies and has initiated blockchain traceability pilot programs to monitor and optimize the supply chain. On the export front, phytosanitary issues have caused shipment rejections in key markets. To remedy this, PGCS is offering targeted training to farmers and exporters on meeting international phytosanitary standards and certification processes.

Looking ahead to 2030, PGCS has charted a strategic roadmap aimed at achieving long-term sustainability and value chain integration. The Society plans to establish five aeroponic seed farms to enhance domestic seed sovereignty and reduce import dependence. To boost rural income and reduce post-harvest waste, PGCS is also seeking $20 million in investment to develop value-added processing facilities for chips, starch, and frozen products. A digital transition is underway, with the planned launch of the PGCS Farmer App to provide real-time weather forecasts, market trends, and agronomic advice. Additionally, PGCS is collaborating with the International Potato Center (CIP) in Peru to introduce drought-tolerant potato varieties like Tacna, supporting climate resilience across Pakistan’s potato belt.

Conclusion

The evolution of Pakistan’s potato sector, driven largely by the efforts of the Potato Growers Co-operative Society (PGCS) Okara, highlights the transformative power of cooperative-led agricultural development. From expanding cultivated acreage and doubling yields to introducing seed innovations and building export capacity, PGCS has played a central role in positioning Pakistan among the world’s top potato producers. Yet, significant challenges remain. Climate change, seed shortages, and post-harvest losses continue to constrain productivity and competitiveness.

Through proactive measures such as tissue culture labs, cold chain expansion, and farmer training on phytosanitary standards, PGCS is addressing these gaps with a forward-looking strategy. Its roadmap to 2030, including seed sovereignty, digital agriculture, and value-added processing, signals a bold vision for a more resilient, efficient, and inclusive potato value chain. As global demand for food rises, Pakistan’s potato sector stands poised to deliver not only economic growth but also enhanced food and nutritional security.

Continued investment, policy support, and innovation will be critical in realizing this potential. PGCS offers a replicable model for other crop sectors in Pakistan and beyond, demonstrating how organized farmer communities, when empowered with knowledge, technology, and market access, can reshape the future of agriculture.

References: FAO; Pakistan Economic Survey; World Bank; PARC; Pakistan Bureau of Statistics; PHDEC; Trade Development Authority; IFPRI

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 Institute of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan and can be reached at habiamjad25@gmail.com

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