Transforming Pakistan's Organic Farming with Innovation

The shift toward organic farming in Pakistan is more than an agricultural adjustment, it is a transformative movement toward sustainability, self-reliance, and ecological harmony. Yet, despite the growing awareness and policy interest, one of the most fundamental prerequisites for this transition, seed resilience, remains underemphasized. Traditional high-yielding varieties (HYVs), designed for conventional agriculture, rely heavily on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. When cultivated under organic systems that prohibit such inputs, these seeds often underperform, yielding less and exhibiting lower resistance to pests, diseases, and climatic stresses. This mismatch between seed characteristics and organic conditions undermines the productivity and profitability of organic farming, discouraging many smallholders from making the transition.

A new framework is therefore essential one that recognizes the interconnectedness of biological, social, and economic factors in seed development. The Multi-Agent Value Approach (MAVA) provides such a model by integrating the perspectives of farmers, breeders, policymakers, and market actors to co-create seed varieties suited to local conditions. In Pakistan’s diverse agro-ecological zones, where water scarcity, soil degradation, and climate variability pose mounting challenges, MAVA can guide participatory breeding programs that prioritize resilience over short-term yields.

By promoting farmer involvement in selection, emphasizing local adaptation, and valuing genetic diversity, this approach supports not only organic certification but also long-term food sovereignty. Strengthening seed systems through cooperative networks, public–private partnerships, and community seed banks can ensure that the organic farming transition becomes both scientifically grounded and socially inclusive. Ultimately, resilient seeds form the living foundation of Pakistan’s organic agriculture empowering farmers to cultivate sustainability from the soil up.

The Critical Role of Suitable Seeds in Organic Systems

In the context of Pakistan’s growing interest in organic agriculture, the availability and quality of suitable seeds stand as a decisive factor in determining the long-term success and sustainability of organic farming. Conventional breeding programs have largely been designed for high-input agriculture systems dependent on synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation. Such seeds perform well under controlled and resource-intensive conditions but tend to struggle when shifted to organic environments where chemical inputs are prohibited and ecological balance drives productivity. Organic systems, by their very nature, demand seeds with intrinsic resilience, capable of adapting and thriving under diverse and often challenging conditions.

The traits most vital for organic agriculture include enhanced disease and pest resistance, ensuring protection against local pathogens without chemical intervention; superior nutrient use efficiency, allowing plants to effectively absorb nutrients from compost, manure, and natural soil processes; and abiotic stress tolerance, critical for coping with drought, salinity, and temperature extremes. For Pakistan, where water scarcity in Sindh and Balochistan contrasts sharply with fluctuating climates in northern regions, locally adapted varieties are indispensable for stable yields and ecological sustainability.

When farmers use conventional high-yielding varieties (HYVs) under organic management, studies suggest that yields can drop by 15–25% (Ponisio et al., 2015). This yield gap is not an inherent flaw of organic farming but rather a reflection of genetic mismatches. Without seeds bred for organic resilience, farmers face reduced profitability, weakened confidence in organic systems, and difficulty competing in local and export markets.

Developing organic-specific seed varieties, therefore, is not simply a technical need, it is an economic and environmental imperative. By investing in participatory breeding programs and adaptive research, Pakistan can empower its farmers with seeds that align with the principles of sustainability, resilience, and self-reliance, ensuring that organic agriculture flourishes as a viable alternative to input-dependent farming systems.

Understanding the Multi-Agent Value Approach

The Multi-Agent Value Approach (MAVA) offers a comprehensive framework for assessing the true success of seed breeding programs by recognizing that agricultural value extends beyond yield. Instead of viewing productivity as the sole indicator of success, MAVA evaluates the benefits that seeds generate for all key stakeholders, farmers, consumers, supply chain actors, and the environment. This approach is particularly relevant to Pakistan’s emerging organic agriculture sector, where multiple dimensions of sustainability must align for long-term viability.

For farmers, value is derived not only from higher yields but also from risk reduction and economic independence. Seeds bred for resilience against drought, pests, and diseases protect against climate-induced losses. Open-Pollinated Varieties (OPVs) empower farmers by allowing seed savings and reuse, lowering annual input costs and reducing dependency on commercial seed companies (Kloppenburg, 2014). Additionally, varieties developed to meet organic certification standards grant farmers access to high-value domestic and international markets.

For consumers, the benefits include food safety and cultural relevance organic seeds produce crops free from harmful chemical residues and aligned with traditional culinary preferences, such as chapati-friendly wheat or aromatic Basmati rice.

The supply chain also gains from seeds that produce uniform, durable, and easily processed crops, which reduce post-harvest losses and improve market efficiency.

Finally, the environment benefits through reduced chemical dependency, enhanced soil biodiversity, and improved water efficiency. Seeds that promote ecosystem health contribute to long-term agricultural sustainability.

Thus, MAVA reframes seed breeding as a shared value enterprise one that balances profitability with ecological and social resilience, paving the way for a sustainable organic future in Pakistan.

Current Challenges in Pakistan’s Organic Seed Sector

The transition toward a resilient organic seed sector in Pakistan remains hindered by deep-rooted structural, institutional, and policy constraints. Despite growing demand for organic produce, the supporting seed infrastructure lags far behind. Limited research and development remain one of the most critical obstacles. Both public and private breeding programs in Pakistan are heavily oriented toward conventional, high-input agriculture that depends on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Consequently, little to no investment has been made in developing organic breeding lines that can perform effectively in low-input, ecologically balanced systems (NFDC, 2022).

Another pressing issue is the severe shortage of organic seed supply. According to estimates, fewer than 10% of smallholder farmers in Pakistan have consistent access to certified organic seeds (PARC, 2023). The majority are compelled to use untreated conventional seeds, which compromises the integrity of organic certification and weakens the credibility of the sector. Compounding the problem is the fragmentation of value chains, where breeders, extension agents, farmers, and markets operate in isolation. This lack of coordination slows innovation, prevents feedback-based improvements, and hinders the adoption of suitable varieties.

Policy and regulatory support for organic seed production remains minimal. Pakistan lacks a cohesive national framework defining standards for organic seed production, certification, and distribution. Moreover, the absence of fiscal incentives or subsidies for organic breeders disincentivizes research investment in this niche.

Globally, countries such as Brazil and members of the European Union provide instructive models. Brazil’s farmer-participatory seed breeding programs have increased organic yields by up to 30%, while preserving genetic diversity (IFOAM Organics International, 2022). Similarly, the EU’s well-defined organic seed regulations have spurred innovation and enhanced market confidence.

For Pakistan, the path forward lies in institutionalizing participatory breeding, supporting decentralized community seed systems, and aligning R&D incentives with organic priorities. Strengthening extension services, integrating organic seed standards into national policy, and adopting the Multi-Agent Value Approach (MAVA) for continuous impact assessment will be essential steps. Through these reforms, Pakistan can lay the foundation for a robust organic seed system that supports both farmer prosperity and environmental sustainability.

Conclusion

The future of Pakistan’s organic farming movement depends fundamentally on how effectively the country can cultivate resilience at its roots through the development of strong, adaptive, and inclusive seed systems. This study underscores that seed resilience is not just a biological trait but a socio-economic and ecological necessity. Without seeds bred specifically for low-input, diverse environments, the promise of organic agriculture higher sustainability, better nutrition, and rural empowerment remains incomplete.

The Multi-Agent Value Approach (MAVA) offers a transformative framework for bridging these gaps by aligning the interests of farmers, breeders, consumers, policymakers, and the environment. It redefines success in seed breeding beyond yield, emphasizing value creation across the agricultural ecosystem. Through participatory breeding, community-based seed systems, and integrated policy support, Pakistan can build a self-reliant organic seed sector that enhances productivity while protecting biodiversity.

However, achieving this vision requires sustained commitment. Strengthening institutional coordination, incentivizing organic R&D, and mainstreaming farmer participation are essential. By embracing this inclusive and science-based model, Pakistan can transform its seed systems into engines of resilience and innovation. In doing so, the nation not only secures the foundation of its organic transition but also reaffirms agriculture’s role as a driver of sustainable rural prosperity and ecological balance.

References: IFOAM Organics International; Kloppenburg; PARC; Ponisio et al; 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

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