Transforming Pakistan's Agriculture with Biotechnology

Plant biotechnology represents a transformative force in modern agriculture, leveraging genetic and molecular advancements to address pressing challenges such as food security, climate change, and environmental sustainability. As global food demand is projected to increase by 59-98% by 2050 (FAO, 2023), countries like Pakistan, where agriculture contributes 22.7% of GDP and employs a large rural population, must adopt innovative solutions to ensure agricultural resilience and productivity (Pakistan Economic Survey, 2023).

Biotechnological tools such as genetic modification (GM), marker-assisted selection (MAS), and CRISPR-based genome editing are enabling the development of crops that are drought-tolerant, pest-resistant, and nutritionally enhanced. For instance, BT cotton, one of Pakistan’s earliest GM crops, has significantly reduced the need for chemical pesticides and increased yields in certain regions. Similarly, research into biotech wheat and rice varieties could address salinity and water stress, which are growing threats due to climate variability.

Plant biotechnology also offers avenues for reducing post-harvest losses, improving shelf life, and enhancing nutritional content, critical for tackling hidden hunger and rural malnutrition. However, ethical and biosafety considerations remain central. Concerns about gene flow, biodiversity loss, and corporate seed monopolies require robust regulatory oversight, transparent communication with farmers, and public engagement.

For Pakistan to harness the full potential of plant biotechnology, investments in research infrastructure, scientific education, and public-private partnerships are essential. Equally important is the development of locally adapted biotechnological solutions that reflect the socio-economic realities of smallholder farmers. Integrating biotechnology into national agricultural policy will be key to building a climate-resilient, food-secure future for Pakistan. This article examines both the promise and the challenges of plant biotechnology, offering a balanced perspective on its role in sustainable crop improvement.

Building Resilience in Agriculture

Plant biotechnology harnesses scientific techniques to modify plants at the genetic and cellular level, addressing key challenges such as low productivity, pest infestations, nutritional deficiencies, and climate stress. This sector is rapidly evolving in Pakistan, driven by the need to modernize agriculture and ensure long-term food security.

One of the cornerstone techniques is genetic engineering, which involves direct manipulation of plant DNA to enhance desired traits. Pakistan’s first genetically modified crop, Bt cotton, significantly reduced bollworm infestations and improved yields by 30-40% (PARC, 2023). Globally, herbicide-tolerant soybeans have cut chemical usage by 25% (ISAAA, 2022), showcasing the environmental benefits of such innovations.

Tissue culture is another essential biotechnology tool, enabling the mass propagation of disease-free plants. Sindh’s Date Palm Project utilized tissue-cultured saplings, resulting in a 50% increase in productivity (SAU Tandojam, 2022). This method is particularly valuable for banana, potato, and other vegetatively propagated crops.

Molecular markers and genomic selection have accelerated breeding programs by allowing scientists to identify desired traits such as drought or disease resistance early in the breeding cycle. Pakistan’s “Dharti” wheat variety, developed through marker-assisted selection, exhibits strong drought tolerance. This precision reduces breeding cycles from over a decade to just 3-4 years (USDA, 2023).

In terms of agricultural applications, biotechnology enhances productivity through drought-tolerant maize, flood-resistant rice (Swarna-Sub1), and nutrient-enriched varieties like Golden Rice and Zinc Wheat. These innovations can combat widespread deficiencies, such as vitamin A and zinc, affecting millions in Pakistan.

Pest- and disease-resistant crops like BT brinjal in Bangladesh, which reduced pesticide use by 80% (Cornell University, 2023), and CRISPR-edited wheat in Punjab offer safer, more sustainable production systems. Environmental sustainability is further supported by nitrogen-efficient crops and genomics-based cover crops that enhance soil health and reduce emissions.

However, challenges persist. GMO-related concerns include risks of gene flow to wild relatives, seen in BT cotton hybridization in Sindh, and corporate control, where just four companies hold 85% of GM seed patents (ETC Group, 2023). Regulatory hurdles also remain; Pakistan’s biosafety rules lag global standards, and GM food labeling is inconsistent.

Looking ahead, CRISPR-Cas9 holds immense promise, with trials on salinity-tolerant kinnow and virus-resistant chickpea underway. Integration with digital agriculture, AI-driven gene editing and blockchain-based seed traceability, is also gaining traction. These technologies could revolutionize how Pakistan addresses food security, resilience, and environmental stewardship in the coming decades.

Policy Recommendations for Advancing Plant Biotechnology in Pakistan

To fully harness the potential of plant biotechnology in Pakistan, a comprehensive and inclusive policy framework is essential. This must address the barriers to adoption, knowledge gaps, and institutional constraints currently limiting the widespread use of biotech tools.

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are a critical mechanism for scaling up the adoption of biofortified and genetically improved crops. The government should collaborate with seed companies, research institutions, and civil society organizations to provide subsidies or financial incentives for smallholder farmers to access high-quality biotech seeds. For example, subsidizing zinc-enriched wheat or drought-resistant maize could help farmers adopt these crops without financial burden, while also addressing key nutritional and climate challenges. PPPs can also support infrastructure development for seed testing, certification, and distribution, ensuring quality assurance and traceability.

Equally important is farmer education and capacity building. A 2023 survey by Sindh Agriculture University revealed that only 18% of Pakistani farmers have a basic understanding of genetically modified technologies. This lack of awareness leads to hesitation and misinformation, limiting adoption. Therefore, extension services must be strengthened to deliver hands-on training and awareness campaigns at the grassroots level. Farmer field schools, demonstration plots, and multilingual mobile-based advisory services can help demystify biotechnology and promote its benefits in a locally relevant manner.

In parallel, Pakistan needs to modernize its regulatory framework for biotechnology. Clear, science-based biosafety rules aligned with international standards would facilitate faster approval and commercialization of new biotech crops. Transparent labeling policies are also necessary to build public trust and allow informed consumer choices. Lastly, fostering youth engagement and innovation—through biotech incubators and university research grants—can drive long-term capacity and ensure a skilled workforce to support this high-potential sector. By aligning policy, education, and investment, Pakistan can build a resilient, tech-enabled agricultural future.

Conclusion

Plant biotechnology holds immense promise for transforming Pakistan’s agriculture into a more productive, resilient, and sustainable sector. From genetically modified crops that resist pests and tolerate drought, to tissue culture and genomic tools that accelerate breeding and improve nutritional outcomes, biotechnological innovations are offering real solutions to some of the country's most urgent agricultural challenges. As climate change intensifies and food insecurity looms, these scientific tools provide not just yield improvements but also a pathway to environmental conservation and public health gains.

Yet, realizing this potential will depend on more than just scientific progress. It requires enabling policies, targeted investments, and a strong emphasis on farmer education. With only a fraction of the farming community currently aware of or trained in biotechnological practices, the benefits remain unevenly distributed. Equally important are ethical safeguards, ensuring biodiversity protection, transparent labeling, and fair access to patented technologies.

By strengthening public-private partnerships, modernizing biosafety regulations, and fostering grassroots awareness, Pakistan can position itself at the forefront of agricultural innovation. Plant biotechnology, when responsibly deployed, can help the country overcome structural limitations in its food system and empower its farmers to thrive in a changing climate. The future of sustainable agriculture in Pakistan will be written in its genes.

References: FAO; PARC; ISAAA; IRRI; ETC Group; Pakistan Economic Survey; SAU Tandojam; USDA; Cornell University

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 syedbilalshah0110@gmail.com

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