Sustainable Farming for Pakistan's Agricultural Future

Pakistan stands at a critical juncture, facing an agricultural reckoning that will determine its economic stability, food sovereignty, and social cohesion for generations to come. Once sustained by the majestic Indus River system, the country’s farmlands are now under unprecedented pressure from a dangerous triad: extreme water scarcity, accelerating soil degradation, and intensifying climate volatility. These challenges are no longer distant warnings; they are a living reality for millions of farmers who depend on agriculture for their livelihoods.

Agriculture remains the backbone of Pakistan, employing a significant share of the population and serving as the foundation of its food supply. Yet this very backbone is weakening. Rapid glacier melt, unpredictable monsoons, and prolonged droughts have made river flows erratic, disrupting age-old irrigation patterns. Canal inefficiencies, groundwater over-extraction, and poor water governance further compound scarcity. At the same time, fertile lands are steadily being lost to salinity, sodicity, nutrient depletion, and waterlogging—symptoms of mismanagement and ecological neglect. Climate change acts as a force multiplier, amplifying crop failures, pest outbreaks, and heat stress, especially in staples like wheat, rice, and cotton.

Thus, the challenge before Pakistan is not simply to grow more food, but to grow food sustainably, efficiently, and resiliently. Traditional expansion-based models cultivating more land and extracting more water are no longer viable in a climate-constrained future. What Pakistan needs is a paradigm shift: embracing climate-smart agriculture, modern irrigation technologies, soil restoration practices, and diversified cropping systems. Equally essential are strong institutions, empowered farming communities, and science-led policymaking. In the decades ahead, the battle for Pakistan’s resilience will be won or lost in its fields. The nation’s ability to adapt today will decide whether agriculture remains at its strength or becomes its greatest vulnerability.

The Bedrock of the Economy Under Threat

Sustainability, defined as meeting present needs without limiting the ability of future generations to meet their own, is not a choice for Pakistan; it is a matter of national survival. With a rapidly growing population of over 241 million people (Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, 2023), food security, rural income stability, and economic resilience all depend on a thriving agricultural sector. Agriculture contributes 22.9% to the national GDP and employs 37.4% of the labor force, making it the backbone of Pakistan’s economy and the lifeline of rural communities (Pakistan Economic Survey, 2023–24). Yet, this backbone is now under severe strain from simultaneous environmental and structural challenges.

Pakistan’s worsening water crisis lies at the heart of this threat. The country relies overwhelmingly on the Indus Basin Irrigation System, which sustains more than 90% of agricultural production (FAO, 2023). However, per capita water availability has plunged from 5,260 cubic meters in 1951 to just 900 cubic meters, well below the scarcity threshold (PCRWR, 2023). With water storage capacity of only 30 days, compared to the world standard of 220 days for arid countries, Pakistan’s agriculture remains dangerously exposed to seasonal fluctuations, canal losses exceeding 50%, and groundwater depletion (World Bank, 2023; IUCN, 2023).

Climate change is further intensifying this crisis. Despite contributing less than 1% of global emissions, Pakistan ranks among the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations. The 2022 floods, which submerged one-third of the country and caused over $30 billion in losses, were a stark reminder (World Bank, 2022). Rising temperatures, erratic monsoons, and new pest pressures threaten to cut agricultural output by up to 10% by 2040 (ADB, 2023). Meanwhile, 43% of land is degraded and 6.3 million hectares are salt affected, reducing fertility and yields (UNCCD, 2022).

Pakistan’s agricultural future, therefore, hangs in the balance, demanding urgent, science-based, and climate-smart reforms to preserve the very foundation of its economy.

Socioeconomic Fragility and the Smallholder

Pakistan’s agricultural structure is overwhelmingly dominated by smallholders, with 64% of farmers cultivating less than 2 hectares of land (Agriculture Census, 2020). These farmers form the backbone of national food production, yet they remain the most economically vulnerable. Their limited access to formal credit, certified climate-resilient seeds, quality inputs, and modern mechanization traps them in low-productivity cycles. Extreme weather events whether droughts, floods, or heatwaves hit smallholders hardest, as they lack savings, crop insurance, or safety nets. A single climate shock can wipe out an entire season’s income, pushing families into debt and deepening rural poverty. This vulnerability fuels rural-urban migration, swelling informal settlements in major cities and straining urban infrastructure.

Gender inequality compounds these structural weaknesses. Although women contribute 60–70% of agricultural labor particularly in planting, harvesting, and livestock management they own less than 3% of agricultural land and receive minimal access to finance, technology, training, or decision-making platforms (UNDP, 2023). Unlocking the full potential of Pakistan’s agricultural economy is impossible without closing this gender gap.

A sustainable turnaround demands a holistic national strategy centered on water efficiency, climate-resilient crops, digital and financial inclusion, and smarter policy incentives. Transitioning from flood irrigation to drip and sprinkler systems could reduce water use by 30–50% and raise yields by up to 30% (IWMI, 2023). Simultaneously, restoring soil health and promoting drought- and heat-resistant varieties would protect yields under extreme climate stress. Digital advisory systems, mobile-based extension services, and climate-indexed crop insurance could provide real-time support while shielding farmers from shocks. At the policy level, Pakistan must shift agricultural subsidies from input-driven incentives to outcomes that reward resource conservation, climate resilience, and reduced post-harvest losses.

Conclusion

Pakistan’s agricultural future rests on the choices it makes today. The crises of water scarcity, soil degradation, and climate stress are not distant threats they are unfolding now, eroding productivity, destabilizing rural livelihoods, and weakening food security. Yet, within this challenge lies an opportunity to rebuild agriculture on stronger, smarter, and more resilient foundations. Sustainable farming is no longer an environmental slogan; it is an economic and social imperative for a nation whose stability depends on the prosperity of its fields and farmers.

A climate-smart transformation, driven by efficient water use, healthier soils, empowered smallholders, and evidence-based policymaking, can set Pakistan on a path toward long-term resilience. This shift requires political will, institutional reform, investment in research, and inclusive support systems that leave no farmer especially women and smallholders behind. Technology, innovation, and digital services must bridge the gap between knowledge and practice, while market incentives should reward sustainability rather than short-term exploitation.

If Pakistan commits to these reforms with urgency and unity, its agriculture can once again become a pillar of strength productive, competitive, equitable, and sustainable. The time for incremental change has passed. The nation must act decisively to cultivate resilience today, securing a food-secure and prosperous tomorrow for generations to come.

References: ADB; FAO; IWMI; IUCN; Pakistan Bureau of Statistics; PCRWR; UNDP; UNCCD; 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 a former Pakistan Ambassador and Permanent Representative to FAO, WFP, & IFAD and can be reached at nriyaz60@gmail.com

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