Occupational Injuries in Pakistan's Agriculture Crisis

Agriculture remains the backbone of Pakistan's economy, contributing 23% to the national GDP and employing 37.4% of the workforce, according to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2023–24. Yet, despite its economic significance, agriculture is also one of the most hazardous sectors for workers. Agricultural laborers in Pakistan face injury risks that are three times higher than those in other industries (ILO, 2023). These risks stem from a combination of outdated farming practices, lack of mechanization, exposure to chemicals, poor safety regulations, and insufficient access to protective gear and healthcare services.

The financial implications of occupational injuries in agriculture are substantial and multifaceted. Direct costs include medical expenses, hospital care, rehabilitation, and compensation paid through insurance or informal community support systems. Indirect costs, often more difficult to quantify, involve lost labor productivity, retraining of replacement workers, and long-term income loss for affected families. These costs not only strain individual households but also contribute to reduced agricultural output, which in turn threatens national food security and economic stability.

Furthermore, the burden on Pakistan’s public healthcare system intensifies with every untreated or poorly managed agricultural injury, diverting resources from other critical areas. In rural areas where healthcare facilities are limited, delayed treatment often leads to prolonged disability, compounding the socio-economic impact.

To address this issue, evidence-based solutions are needed. These include improved safety training for farmers, government-subsidized protective equipment, rural health outreach programs, and policy reforms that recognize and regulate farm labor risks. Introducing insurance schemes tailored for agricultural workers and investing in farm mechanization can further reduce injury rates. Recognizing occupational health in agriculture as a policy priority is crucial not only for protecting workers but also for strengthening the resilience and sustainability of Pakistan’s agrarian economy.

Occupational Hazards in Pakistani Agriculture

Occupational hazards in Pakistani agriculture are a critical but often overlooked issue, posing significant threats to the health and safety of millions of rural workers. Among the most dangerous are machinery-related accidents, which remain the leading cause of fatalities on farms. Tractor rollovers alone account for 42% of farm-related deaths in Punjab, while unguarded threshers lead to over 300 amputations annually, particularly in Sindh, where machinery safety regulations are poorly enforced (Punjab Agriculture Department, 2023; labor Department Sindh, 2024).

Chemical exposure is another widespread but less visible hazard. Each year, approximately 47,000 farmers suffer from pesticide poisoning, with Sindh accounting for 58% of these cases (Ministry of National Health Services, 2024). The low use of personal protective equipment, only 12% of farmers regularly use gear like gloves and masks, has led to a surge in chronic illnesses such as respiratory disorders and neurological damage (WHO, 2023).

Climate change has introduced new occupational hazards, including extreme heat. During harvest seasons, temperatures exceeding 50°C in Sindh have resulted in heat strokes for 28% of agricultural workers (Pakistan Meteorological Department, 2023). Additionally, animal-related injuries continue to plague rural areas, with 18% of non-fatal injuries caused by livestock handling. These include broken bones and exposure to zoonotic diseases like brucellosis and anthrax (FAO, 2023).

Lastly, ergonomic stress is a major contributor to long-term disability among farm workers. Repetitive lifting, prolonged bending, and lack of mechanized tools result in chronic back pain and musculoskeletal disorders for 68% of manual laborers (Journal of Pakistan Medical Association, 2024).

Collectively, these occupational risks highlight the urgent need for comprehensive agricultural labor reforms. Addressing these hazards through policy, education, and investment in farm safety infrastructure is essential for safeguarding rural livelihoods and enhancing productivity in Pakistan’s agrarian economy.

Economic Costs: A National Crisis

Occupational injuries in agriculture are not only a public health issue but a mounting economic crisis in Pakistan. The direct and indirect costs associated with farm-related injuries impose a heavy burden on individuals, communities, and the national economy. Direct costs include immediate medical expenses, disability support, and rising insurance premiums. According to the Ministry of Health (2024), medical treatment for injured farm workers amounts to an estimated PKR 15 billion annually. Additionally, the Punjab Social Security system spends PKR 7.2 billion on disability allowances, while insurance-related costs in the sector are estimated at PKR 9 billion per year (State Bank of Pakistan, 2024).

These costs are disproportionately borne by rural households. A staggering 82% of injured farmers are forced to borrow money or sell valuable assets such as livestock or equipment to afford medical treatment (UNDP, 2023). Due to the informal nature of employment in agriculture, 95% of laborers lack insurance coverage, pushing them into further economic vulnerability (ILO, 2023).

Beyond these immediate expenses, the long-term indirect costs are even more concerning. Injured workers lead to a 15% drop in wheat productivity in Punjab alone, according to the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (2024). Moreover, replacing injured workers is costly training a new laborer ranges between PKR 10,000 and 15,000 per person (Sindh Chamber of Agriculture, 2023). Labor shortages caused by injuries also contribute to significant post-harvest losses, accounting for 12% of agricultural output loss nationwide (Ministry of Food Security, 2024).

These economic repercussions are compounded by the ripple effects on food security, rural poverty, and national productivity. Addressing occupational hazards in agriculture is thus not only a matter of worker safety but a national economic imperative. Sustainable growth in Pakistan’s rural economy demands urgent policy action and investment in farm safety and healthcare systems.

Overcoming Safety Gaps in Pakistan’s Agricultural Sector

Pakistan’s agriculture sector, despite its significant contribution to the economy, faces deep-rooted structural challenges that compromise the health and safety of millions of farmworkers. Key among these is the weak enforcement of safety regulations, only 8% of farms comply with the national occupational safety standards, leaving workers exposed to preventable injuries and fatalities (Labor Inspection Report, 2023). The situation is further aggravated by the informality of the workforce, with nearly 90% of agricultural laborers unregistered and therefore ineligible for legal protections, insurance, or health benefits. This lack of formal recognition severely limits their ability to seek recourse in case of injury or illness.

Healthcare infrastructure in rural areas is another pressing concern. According to the World Health Organization (2023), over 60% of rural clinics are ill-equipped to handle serious farm-related injuries, particularly those caused by machinery, chemical exposure, or heat stress. This gap in emergency care increases mortality rates and long-term disability among affected workers.

To address these gaps, a multi-pronged policy response is essential. Regulatory reforms should include the mandatory installation of safety guards on all agricultural machinery, modeled on Punjab’s 2023 Tractor Safety Act. Expanding the reach of labor inspections to 50% of farms by 2025, as proposed in the National Agriculture Policy, would significantly enhance compliance.

Financial protection mechanisms are also crucial. Interest-free loans for purchasing personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves, masks, and helmets, should be scaled up, following Sindh’s “Kisan Safety Kit” initiative. Inclusion of agricultural workers in social protection schemes would extend critical financial support in times of injury.

Technology-based solutions such as subsidized automation grants for safer threshers and the distribution of heat-resistant vests in climate-vulnerable districts like Jacobabad can directly reduce exposure to occupational hazards.

Lastly, education and awareness must be localized. Mobile-based training in local languages (Sindhi, Saraiki, Pashto) and community health programs on first aid and chemical safety will empower farmworkers to protect themselves and respond effectively in emergencies. Implementing these strategies could transform agricultural safety from a neglected issue into a cornerstone of rural development.

Conclusion

Occupational injuries in Pakistan’s agricultural sector represent a pressing public health and economic crisis that demands urgent and sustained attention. With agriculture employing over a third of the national workforce and contributing 23% to the GDP, the sector is central to Pakistan’s socio-economic fabric. However, the lack of safety measures, informal labor practices, poor regulatory enforcement, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure continue to expose millions of rural workers to preventable harm. The direct financial burden of these injuries, estimated in the tens of billions of rupees annually, is compounded by long-term productivity losses, reduced food output, and deepening rural poverty.

Addressing this challenge requires a multidimensional strategy. Strengthening regulatory enforcement, providing financial safety nets, and ensuring access to healthcare are essential first steps. Equally important are investments in farm mechanization, climate-resilient safety gear, and the promotion of digital training tools tailored to Pakistan’s diverse linguistic and educational landscape. Protecting agricultural workers is not only a moral obligation but also a strategic economic imperative. By prioritizing occupational health in agriculture, Pakistan can enhance labor productivity, safeguard rural livelihoods, and support sustainable economic growth. Turning farms into safer workplaces is a foundational step toward achieving inclusive development and securing the long-term resilience of the country’s food systems.

References: Pakistan Economic Survey; ILO; Ministry of National Health Services; Punjab Agriculture Department; UNDP; labor Department Sindh; Pakistan Meteorological Department; FAO; Journal of Pakistan Medical Association; University of Agriculture, Faisalabad; Ministry of Food Security

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 Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Health and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.

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