Boosting Agricultural Productivity in Sindh

Agriculture is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, contributing 19.2% to the GDP and employing 37.4% of the labor force (Pakistan Economic Survey, 2022-23). Despite its central role in national development, the province of Sindh, blessed with fertile lands and the life-sustaining waters of the Indus River, continues to face chronically low agricultural productivity. This persistent underperformance poses a serious threat to the province’s food security, farmer livelihoods, and overall economic stability. It is therefore essential to understand the root causes of this productivity gap and pursue holistic, sustainable solutions.

Sindh accounts for 23% of Pakistan’s total agricultural output, cultivating essential crops such as cotton, rice, wheat, and sugarcane (Sindh Bureau of Statistics, 2023). However, crop yields in Sindh remain 30-40% lower than in Punjab, the country's agricultural leader (FAO, 2023). Multiple interrelated factors contribute to this disparity. These include inefficient water use due to outdated irrigation methods, limited adoption of modern agricultural technologies, and widespread soil degradation caused by salinity and waterlogging. Financial constraints further exacerbate the problem, as smallholders often lack access to credit, quality inputs, and timely extension services. The impacts of climate change, rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and increased frequency of floods and droughts, have made farming more unpredictable and riskier.

Moreover, weak rural infrastructure and limited access to markets reduce farmers’ profitability and discourage investment in productivity-enhancing practices. Women farmers, who make up a significant share of the labor force, also face institutional and cultural barriers to land ownership, finance, and training, further limiting the sector’s full potential.

To overcome these obstacles, a coordinated approach is needed. This includes investment in irrigation modernization, climate-smart farming, access to financial services, land reforms, and robust agricultural extension systems. Enhancing productivity in Sindh is not just a regional issue, it is a national imperative for achieving food security, rural prosperity, and sustainable economic growth.

Key Reasons Behind Low Agricultural Productivity in Sindh

Low agricultural productivity in Sindh, despite the province’s natural advantages such as fertile land and access to the Indus River, remains a critical barrier to rural development, food security, and economic growth. This productivity crisis is deeply rooted in a combination of infrastructural inefficiencies, environmental degradation, socio-economic disparities, and climate vulnerabilities, each contributing to a widening yield gap compared to other regions, especially Punjab.

Water scarcity and inefficient irrigation practices are among the most pressing issues. Sindh's agriculture is predominantly dependent on the Indus River, yet poor water management and outdated canal systems lead to substantial losses. An estimated 60% of freshwater is lost due to inefficient methods, with flood irrigation still widely practiced, resulting in wastage and soil problems. Powerful landlords often divert water illegally, leaving small farmers dry. These factors collectively reduce crop yields by 20–30%, particularly in water-intensive crops like rice and cotton.

Out-dated farming techniques further impede productivity. Only a small fraction of farmers in Sindh utilizes mechanized equipment, and tractor availability is significantly lower than in Punjab. Labor-intensive methods increase costs and delay key operations like sowing and harvesting, contributing to lower yields. As a result, Sindh’s wheat productivity lags, averaging just 2.5 tons per hectare compared to 3.8 tons in Punjab.

Soil degradation, particularly salinity, affects over 40% of Sindh’s arable land. Excessive chemical fertilizer use, coupled with poor drainage and minimal crop rotation, has degraded soil health. Waterlogging impacts 1.2 million hectares, and salinity alone reduces rice yields by up to 40%, leading to annual losses estimated at $500 million.

Access to affordable credit and input remains another major barrier. Only 22% of farmers can access formal credit, with many resorting to informal lenders who charge exorbitant interest rates. Simultaneously, input costs have surged, fertilizer prices, for instance, have increased by 70% since 2020, leaving many smallholders unable to invest in productivity-enhancing technologies or inputs, pushing nearly a third of them below the poverty line.

Climate change further compounds these issues. Sindh is highly exposed to extreme weather events, including heatwaves, erratic rainfall, and floods. The catastrophic 2022 floods submerged vast croplands, inflicting $4 billion in damage. Rising temperatures are also undermining crop yields, particularly for wheat and cotton, which are highly sensitive to heat stress.

Finally, poor market access and significant post-harvest losses reduce farmer incomes. Without access to cold storage, packaging, or transport facilities, up to 30% of perishable crops spoil before reaching markets. Meanwhile, middlemen often dominate market channels, extracting a disproportionate share of profits, farmers typically receive only 30-40% of the final price. Export opportunities are also limited due to infrastructure and policy constraints, which further suppresses income potential.

Together, these challenges form a complex web that stifles productivity in Sindh. Addressing them requires a multi-pronged strategy that includes investment in irrigation modernization, promotion of mechanization, soil conservation practices, affordable credit systems, climate adaptation, and improved market infrastructure. Without such interventions, the productivity gap will continue to widen, deepening rural poverty and threatening national food security.

Solutions to Enhance Agricultural Productivity

Enhancing agricultural productivity in Sindh requires a multidimensional strategy tailored to the province’s unique environmental and socio-economic challenges. The adoption of modern irrigation systems is vital to reduce water wastage and improve crop yields. Drip and sprinkler irrigation, proven effective in India’s Punjab, can significantly increase water efficiency and reduce salinity. Upgrading canal infrastructure and enforcing water rights are essential to ensure equitable distribution and prevent illegal diversions, especially by influential landowners.

Promoting high-yield and climate-resilient seed varieties is another cornerstone of agricultural revival. Distributing drought-tolerant wheat and heat-resistant cotton seeds can mitigate climate impacts. Expanding seed subsidy initiatives through schemes like the Benazir Bhutto Kissan Card will ensure that even smallholder farmers have access to improved inputs.

Sustainable land management practices must also be prioritized. Techniques such as laser land leveling enhance irrigation efficiency, while bio-saline agriculture can reclaim and utilize salt-affected lands. Crop rotation, organic farming, and reduced chemical input can improve long-term soil fertility and productivity.

Capacity building through farmer training and digital agriculture platforms is equally important. Mobile-based advisory apps and precision farming workshops by institutions like Sindh Agriculture University can empower farmers with timely, data-driven decisions.

Financial inclusion remains a critical enabler. Expanding microfinance programs and introducing weather-indexed insurance will help smallholders manage risk and invest in productivity-enhancing technologies.

Lastly, strengthening market systems is key. Developing cold storage infrastructure can reduce post-harvest losses, while e-commerce platforms and direct-to-consumer models can bypass exploitative middlemen. Government regulation of intermediary practices will help ensure fair pricing for producers.

Together, these interventions, if implemented cohesively, can drive a transformation in Sindh’s agricultural landscape, raising productivity, stabilizing incomes, and building resilience against future shocks. With political commitment and coordinated action, Sindh’s agriculture can become both sustainable and prosperous.

Conclusion

Addressing low agricultural productivity in Sindh is essential for ensuring Pakistan’s food security, rural development, and economic resilience. Despite Sindh’s fertile lands and access to the Indus River, a combination of structural inefficiencies, ranging from water mismanagement and outdated farming practices to soil degradation and inadequate financial services, has severely constrained its agricultural potential. Climate change, in the form of recurrent floods, rising temperatures, and erratic rainfall, has further intensified these vulnerabilities. Smallholder farmers, who form the backbone of Sindh’s rural economy, remain disproportionately affected due to their limited access to credit, inputs, training, and markets.

The path forward lies in an integrated strategy that combines modernization with inclusivity and sustainability. Upgrading irrigation systems, promoting high-yield climate-resilient seeds, improving soil health through sustainable practices, and expanding access to agri-credit and insurance can collectively uplift productivity. Digital agriculture and farmer education are also vital to facilitate timely decision-making and adoption of innovations. Moreover, developing cold storage, transport networks, and transparent market systems will reduce losses and ensure fairer returns for producers.

With strong support, coordinated investments, and community engagement, Sindh’s agriculture sector can be revitalized. A productive and climate-resilient Sindh will not only secure regional prosperity but also contribute significantly to Pakistan’s broader development goals.

References: Asian Development Bank; FAO; Global Climate Risk Index; International Food Policy Research Institute; Pakistan Economic Survey; State Bank of Pakistan; World Bank; Sindh Bureau of Statistics

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 Social Sciences, Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam Sindh, Pakistan and can be reached at samoonmahi@gmail.com 

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