Water Crisis in Balochistan: Challenges in Quetta

Balochistan, despite being Pakistan’s largest province, suffers from acute water scarcity, receiving less than 200 mm of annual rainfall (PMD, 2023). Agriculture, which is the backbone of the province’s rural economy, relies heavily (over 90%) on groundwater (PCRWR, 2023). In districts like Quetta, this reliance has led to alarming aquifer depletion, with groundwater levels declining at a rate of 2 to 5 meters annually. This poses a grave threat to both food security and rural livelihoods in the region.

Quetta’s agricultural system, characterized by orchard farming (particularly apples, almonds, and grapes), and vegetable cultivation, has shown declining productivity due to inefficient water use. Traditional flood irrigation methods dominate, leading to substantial water loss through evaporation and runoff. The economic returns from high-water-consuming crops are increasingly unsustainable, especially in the face of declining yields and rising pumping costs.

Improving groundwater use efficiency requires a multifaceted strategy. The adoption of drip and sprinkler irrigation systems can reduce water use by up to 50% while enhancing yields. Crop diversification toward less water-intensive and high-value crops, such as saffron or olives, could also improve economic resilience. Additionally, community-based water governance, groundwater recharge initiatives, and farmer education on soil moisture monitoring are crucial for long-term sustainability.

Policy interventions must include targeted subsidies for water-efficient technologies, enforcement of groundwater extraction limits, and integration of climate-smart agriculture into provincial planning. Establishing groundwater monitoring units and incentivizing data sharing can further support informed decision-making. Ultimately, preserving groundwater in Quetta is not just a technical issue but a matter of ecological and economic survival. Sustainable water management in Balochistan will depend on aligning farmer practices, technological innovation, and regulatory frameworks to protect this vital but vanishing resource.

Balancing Profitability and Sustainability in Quetta’s Agriculture

Balochistan’s mounting water crisis is rooted in its overwhelming dependence on groundwater. With just 5% of the province’s farmland connected to canal irrigation via the Indus Basin system (World Bank, 2023), most agriculture in Balochistan is sustained by groundwater extraction. In Quetta, government subsidies on electricity for tube wells have led to unchecked over-extraction. Alarmingly, over 30,000 illegal tube wells now operate in the Quetta Valley alone (Balochistan Agriculture Department, 2023). This overuse has led to a dramatic drop in the water table, from 50 meters in 2000 to over 150 meters by 2023 (IUCN, 2023), posing an existential threat to the province’s agricultural base.

In Quetta’s farmlands, the trade-off between profitability and water sustainability is stark. Wheat, though offering the highest water productivity at 1.19 kg/m³, yields low profitability with a benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of only 1.2. Maize provides better market returns despite lower water efficiency (0.75 kg/m³), while tomatoes show moderate water use (0.91 kg/m³) but are highly sensitive to market price fluctuations. Despite an average net income of Rs. 32,168 per month from farming, household expenses (Rs. 33,960/month) consistently exceed earnings. To bridge the gap, farmers rely heavily on supplementary income from livestock (35% of total income) and off-farm employment (25%), bringing average monthly household income to Rs. 76,000 (Survey Data, 2023).

Regression analysis from recent field data shows that productivity and profitability can improve significantly through targeted interventions. Farmers with formal education showed a 12% higher gross value of production (GVP). Use of quality seeds boosted yields by 18%, while mechanized practices improved farm efficiency by 9%. Conversely, rising irrigation costs reduced wheat GVP by 0.16% for every 1% increase in cost. Overuse of agrochemicals, particularly in tomato farming, was found to reduce GVP by 0.09%.

Policy Recommendations for Sustainable Water Use in Balochistan

Addressing Balochistan’s escalating groundwater crisis demands an integrated policy approach focused on regulation, innovation, education, and diversification. Strengthening groundwater governance is foundational. The provincial government must enforce licensing of tube wells and implement meter-based pricing models, as successfully piloted in parts of Punjab. Such measures can discourage over-extraction and foster responsible usage. Additionally, investment in aquifer recharge initiatives such as the construction of check dams and the rehabilitation of traditional systems like the karez can help replenish groundwater resources while respecting indigenous water heritage.

Adopting water-efficient technologies is equally critical. With the current adoption of drip and sprinkler irrigation systems below 5% in Balochistan, targeted subsidies and awareness campaigns are necessary to scale up these practices. Expanding solar-powered irrigation can also reduce reliance on diesel pumps, lowering both costs and emissions. The Public Sector Development Program (PSDP, 2023) supports this transition and should be expanded across water-stressed districts.

Farmer education and input optimization are key levers for sustainable water use. Mobile-based advisory platforms can deliver real-time guidance on irrigation scheduling and crop selection. Parallel efforts to certify and distribute drought-resistant seed varieties will improve yields while reducing water demand.

Diversifying agricultural output and building climate resilience are long-term solutions. Transitioning from water-intensive cereal crops to high-value, drought-tolerant horticultures such as olives and almonds can generate more income per unit of water used. Moreover, fostering water-user cooperatives can promote community-based monitoring, equitable access, and shared infrastructure for efficient water distribution.

By combining regulatory reform, technology adoption, capacity building, and economic incentives, Balochistan can chart a path toward sustainable water use. These actions will not only safeguard the province’s groundwater reserves but also enhance agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods in the face of climate stress.

Conclusion

The water crisis in Balochistan, particularly in Quetta, is a multifaceted challenge with far-reaching implications for food security, rural livelihoods, and ecological sustainability. With over 90% of agriculture in the province dependent on rapidly depleting groundwater, current trends are unsustainable. Traditional irrigation methods, excessive reliance on tube wells, and low adoption of water-saving technologies have accelerated aquifer depletion, while economic returns from farming often fail to meet household needs.

Yet, the path forward is clear. Through evidence-based interventions ranging from the adoption of drip irrigation and drought-resilient crops to community-based water governance and farmer training, significant improvements in productivity and water efficiency are possible. Policy measures that support groundwater regulation, provide targeted subsidies, and promote diversified, high-value agriculture must be implemented urgently.

Aligning technological innovation with farmer empowerment and environmental stewardship will be key. Sustainable groundwater management is not merely an agricultural issue but a development imperative. For Balochistan, securing the future of its rural economy depends on its ability to balance profitability with long-term ecological resilience.

References: IUCN; PCRWR; World Bank; Balochistan Agriculture Department; PSDP; PCRWR; PMD

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 writers are affiliated with the Institute of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan. For correspondence, please contact tahira.sadaf@uaf.edu.pk

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