Building Resilient Agricultural Systems in Pakistan

The concept of resilient agriculture is increasingly being adopted globally. It refers to farming systems designed to withstand and recover from various challenges while continuing to produce food, support livelihoods, and sustain natural resources. It emphasizes the ability of agricultural systems to adapt to and mitigate the effects of environmental, social, and economic shocks, including climate change, natural disasters, pest outbreaks, and market fluctuations. Key features of resilient agriculture include adaptability, sustainability, productivity, inclusivity, and innovation. It requires crop diversity, soil and water conservation, climate-smart practices, integrated pest and disease management, and community engagement.

Resilient agricultural systems yield multiple benefits in diverse areas. In health, it provides safer food by reduced pesticide use leading to lower contamination in crops and better nutrition by crop diversification ensuring nutrient-rich foods. In environment, conservation and practices like agroforestry and no-till farming reduce deforestation and soil erosion, Carbon sequestration (through trees and reduced emissions from efficient irrigation) contribute to global climate goals. In the area of community sustainability, increased productivity and reduced costs improve farmer incomes, provide job for youth and women and community-based resource management fosters collaboration and social equality.

Although agriculture remains the backbone of Pakistan's economy, employing between 37-40% of the labor force, yet it contributes only 19% to the national GDP. The agricultural sector faces numerous challenges, including climate change, water scarcity, and land degradation. Resilient agriculture offers a pathway to address food insecurity, environmental degradation, and socio-economic inequality.

Challenges to Agricultural Resilience in Pakistan

Pakistan ranks among the top ten countries most vulnerable to climate change, experiencing increasing extreme weather events such as devastating floods, prolonged droughts in arid regions, rising temperatures that affect crops like wheat and cotton, leading to declining yields. Erratic monsoon patterns further disrupt the traditional cropping calendar, making farming increasingly unpredictable.

Pakistan's agriculture heavily depends on the Indus River system, which provides over 90% of irrigation water. However, inefficient irrigation practices, outdated canal systems, and poor water governance have led to wastage and reduced water availability. Over-extraction of groundwater has caused the water table to drop at an alarming rate. Climate change is aggravating these issues by altering river flows and quickening glacier melt in the Himalayas. The country faces either too much water during floods or too little during droughts, both of which harm farming. Furthermore, the lack of small dams and water reservoirs compounds the water crisis.

Pakistan has one of the lowest yields per acre in the region. Soil degradation, caused by over-reliance on chemical fertilizers, monoculture practices, and waterlogging, poses a significant threat to agricultural productivity. In Punjab alone, over 6 million hectares suffer from salinity. Deforestation and unsustainable farming practices further contribute to soil erosion, particularly in hilly and semi-arid areas. The use of outdated farming methods, poor-quality seeds, and small landholdings exacerbate the problem.

Pakistan’s population is growing by over 2% annually, adding more than 5 million people each year. This growth places immense pressure on agricultural land to meet food demand. Additionally, fertile farmland is being converted into housing schemes around major cities like Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad, reducing the area available for cultivation.

Climate change and poor pest management practices have led to more frequent and severe pest outbreaks. The 2020 locust invasion, which devastated crops across Sindh, Punjab, and Baluchistan, highlighted the vulnerability of Pakistan’s agricultural systems. Excessive use of chemical pesticides also poses significant health and environmental risks.

Outdated agricultural policies, lack of technology, poor credit facilities, pricing issues, and dependence on water-intensive crops all hinder sustainability. There is also a lack of data, making it difficult to formulate effective strategies for agricultural resilience.

Strategies for Resilient Agricultural Systems

By adopting Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices, Pakistan can increase productivity while adapting to climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Crop diversification is essential, with a focus on drought-tolerant and heat-resistant crop varieties, such as improved wheat strains developed locally by various research institutions in Pakistan. Agroforestry should be promoted to improve soil fertility and enhance biodiversity. The development of early warning systems using meteorological data to provide timely weather forecasts and advisories to farmers is also crucial.

Pakistan must improve water management by promoting drip and sprinkler irrigation systems, which are more efficient than traditional flood irrigation. The construction of small-scale reservoirs and ponds will help store rainwater for use during dry periods. Policies to regulate groundwater extraction and encourage artificial recharge of aquifers are urgently needed. Better land leveling will also reduce water usage and improve crop yields.

Restoring soil fertility through sustainable practices is essential. Crop rotation should be promoted to replenish soil nutrients and break pest cycles. Modern tilling methods should be adopted to reduce soil disturbance and prevent erosion. The use of organic fertilizers can further enhance productivity.

Empowering farmers is crucial for building resilience. Establishing farmer field schools to train on sustainable practices, expanding access to credit for smallholder farmers, and promoting women’s participation through skill development programs are all necessary steps. There are examples in regions like Swat, where women have successfully taken up rural entrepreneurship, such as fruit processing, which highlights the benefits of inclusive approaches.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) provides an environmentally friendly approach to pest control. This can be achieved by raising awareness about bio-based pesticides, educating farmers on the dangers of excessive pesticide use, and promoting the use of bio-pesticides.

The agricultural sector should embrace technology to improve efficiency and productivity. Mobile applications and social media can provide real-time information on weather, pests, and market prices. The use of satellite imagery and digital tools will help optimize productivity. Additionally, digitalizing markets can connect farmers directly with buyers, reducing reliance on middlemen and increasing profitability.

Building resilient systems requires coordinated action by the government. Prioritizing efficient water use and climate adaptation is essential, as is fostering greater research and coordination between provinces. Pakistan should seek technical support from organizations like the FAO, WFP, and other international NGOs to help adopt and formulate resilient agricultural policies.

Resilient agriculture strategies can be successful through continuous monitoring and evaluation. A national database to track the effectiveness of climate-smart agriculture, water management practices, and soil restoration projects will help measure progress and adjust interventions as needed. Impact assessments will help identify best practices and demonstrate the potential of these strategies to improve national food security and environmental health.

Women play a vital role in agriculture. However, they face unique barriers that hinder their participation in decision-making and access to resources. Promoting gender-inclusive agricultural policies and providing training and support for women farmers will enhance the resilience of agricultural systems.

Resilient agriculture does not only address food security but also contributes to public health by providing a more diverse and nutritious food supply. By encouraging crop diversification, farmers can produce a wider variety of foods, contributing to better nutrition and reducing the risk of foodborne diseases. Integrating nutrition into agricultural policies can help combat malnutrition and improve overall public health outcomes.

Conclusion

Building resilient agricultural systems is a complex, multi-dimensional challenge that requires an integrated approach. To ensure food security, improve agricultural yields, foster sustainability, and improve socio-economic conditions, Pakistan must develop a partnership between the government, private sector, farmers, scientists, and international partners. Together, they can pave the way for a healthier, more equitable, and sustainable agricultural future for Pakistan and its people.

The government must prioritize water use, climate adaptation, and research, while integrating policies that promote gender inclusivity and address nutritional needs. By taking a coordinated, strategic approach, Pakistan can unlock the full potential of its agricultural sector and achieve lasting resilience.

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 Pakistan’s former Ambassador and Permanent Representative to FAO, WFP, and IFAD

Related Stories