Women & Youth in Pakistan's Agriculture Sector

Agriculture remains the cornerstone of Pakistan’s economy, contributing approximately 19–20% of the GDP and employing 38–40% of the workforce. It serves as the backbone of rural livelihoods and national food security, supporting millions across the country. The sector is broadly divided into four key areas: crop production, livestock, forestry, and fisheries. Major crops such as wheat, rice, cotton, and sugarcane dominate the agricultural landscape, while fruits, vegetables, and pulses play an essential role in dietary diversity and nutrition. The livestock sector, which includes cattle, buffalo, sheep, and goats, is equally significant, providing meat, dairy, leather, and other essential products that contribute substantially to rural economies.

Beyond ensuring food security, agriculture plays a pivotal role in driving economic growth and development. It provides employment and income opportunities, especially for smallholder farmers who form the majority of Pakistan’s agricultural workforce. The sector also boosts export earnings, with agricultural goods like rice, citrus fruits, mangoes, and cotton-based textiles contributing significantly to Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves. Furthermore, agricultural activities encourage infrastructure development, such as irrigation systems, rural roads, and storage facilities, improving connectivity and market access for farmers.

Innovation and sustainability are increasingly shaping Pakistan’s agricultural landscape. The adoption of modern farming techniques, such as precision agriculture, drip irrigation, high-yield seed varieties, and climate-smart practices, is enhancing productivity and resilience. However, challenges such as water scarcity, climate change, outdated farming methods, and inadequate farmer education remain barriers to sustainable agricultural growth. Addressing these challenges through policy reforms, investment in research and development, and farmer support programs is essential for ensuring long-term agricultural sustainability. By prioritizing efficiency, resilience, and sustainability, Pakistan’s agricultural sector can continue to fuel economic growth, enhance food security, and strengthen rural development in the coming decades.

Women: The Unsung Heroes of Pakistan’s Agriculture

Women form the backbone of Pakistan’s agricultural sector, constituting 70% of the rural agricultural workforce. They are actively engaged in planting, weeding, harvesting, threshing, and livestock management, yet their immense contributions often go unrecognized. Despite their indispensable role, women farmers face systemic barriers, including limited access to land ownership, credit facilities, modern technology, and agricultural training. Socio-cultural norms and traditional biases further restrict their decision-making power in farming activities, keeping them economically and socially marginalized.

Empowering women in agriculture has the potential to transform Pakistan’s rural economy. Studies suggest that providing women with equal access to resources, financial support, and modern farming techniques can significantly increase agricultural productivity. Access to microfinance programs, training in climate-smart agriculture, and improved market linkages can help them adopt sustainable farming practices, ensuring better crop yields and efficient resource management. Additionally, investing in women-led agricultural enterprises can generate employment opportunities, diversify rural income sources, and enhance household resilience against economic shocks.

Recognizing and integrating women into mainstream agricultural policies is crucial for strengthening food security and rural resilience. Research shows that if women farmers had the same access to resources as men, agricultural output in developing countries could rise by up to 30%, significantly reducing hunger and malnutrition. Given Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change, water scarcity, and economic fluctuations, leveraging the potential of women in agriculture is essential for building sustainable rural livelihoods. Policymakers, NGOs, and agricultural institutions must work together to eliminate gender disparities, promote land rights for women, expand skill-building initiatives, and introduce gender-inclusive policies. Recognizing and empowering women farmers is not just a step toward gender equality but also a catalyst for agricultural growth, poverty reduction, and long-term economic stability in Pakistan.

Youth: The Future of Sustainable Farming

Youth play a crucial role in shaping the future of sustainable farming in Pakistan, bringing innovation, technology, and fresh perspectives to the agricultural sector. With over 60% of Pakistan’s population under the age of 30, young farmers have the potential to revolutionize agriculture by integrating digital tools, climate-smart techniques, and modern agribusiness models. From precision farming and drone technology to hydroponics and organic farming, young entrepreneurs are driving efficiency, sustainability, and profitability. However, despite their enthusiasm and potential, many young people struggle with limited access to financing, modern technology, and specialized training, which hampers their ability to thrive in the sector.

A significant challenge is the perception of farming as an unprofitable and outdated profession. Due to low market returns, lack of government support, and unpredictable weather patterns, many young individuals prefer to migrate to urban centers in search of alternative employment, leading to a decline in rural farming communities. Bridging this gap requires investment in youth-focused agricultural policies, access to credit, land reforms, and skill development programs that empower young farmers with knowledge and resources.

Encouraging youth involvement in agriculture can lead to modernized farming through innovation, driving higher productivity, improved resource management, and increased profitability. Additionally, it can help reduce rural unemployment, creating sustainable job opportunities in agribusiness, food processing, and farm management. A thriving youth-led agricultural sector can also enhance food security and sustainability by promoting eco-friendly practices, efficient irrigation techniques, and climate-resilient crops that adapt to changing environmental conditions.

By fostering an enabling environment through government initiatives, digital literacy programs, and youth entrepreneurship grants, Pakistan can harness the energy and creativity of its young farmers. Investing in the next generation of agricultural leaders is essential for ensuring long-term food security, economic growth, and environmental resilience.

Challenges Faced by Women and Youth

Women and youth are the backbone of Pakistan’s agricultural sector, yet they face systemic barriers that hinder their full potential. Women, who constitute 70% of the rural agricultural workforce, play a crucial role in planting, harvesting, livestock management, and food processing. However, they face restricted land ownership, as cultural and legal obstacles prevent them from having control over agricultural assets. Financial exclusion further limits their ability to invest in farming tools, quality seeds, and modern techniques, while gender biases restrict their access to agricultural training, decision-making, and market opportunities. As a result, women often remain stuck in low-income, labor-intensive farm work with little chance of advancement.

Similarly, youth in agriculture struggle with lack of funding, outdated policies, and limited training opportunities. Despite their potential to modernize farming with technology, climate-smart techniques, and agribusiness models, many young people find it difficult to secure loans, land, and government support. The perception of farming as an unprofitable and outdated profession further discourages youth from entering the sector, leading to rural-to-urban migration and a growing gap in the agricultural workforce.

Addressing these challenges requires inclusive policies that support women’s land rights, provide financial aid, and enhance agricultural training for youth. Expanding access to microfinance, digital literacy programs, and modern farming techniques can empower both groups, ensuring their contributions drive sustainable agricultural growth. Recognizing the roles of women and youth and removing these barriers is essential for long-term food security, economic development, and rural resilience in Pakistan.

Case Study: Helen Smith – A Woman Leading in UK Agriculture

Helen Smith, a farmer in Moray, Scotland, is a shining example of how women are reshaping the landscape of modern agriculture in the UK. Despite the traditionally male-dominated nature of the industry, Helen has successfully managed a diverse farm, balancing sheep, cattle, and barley production while venturing into agri-tourism and agricultural education. Her ability to adapt, innovate, and engage with the public has made her a role model for women in farming.

Helen’s journey highlights the importance of family support in agricultural success. Managing a farm requires long hours, physical labor, and financial planning, but with the backing of her family, she has thrived. By integrating sustainable farming techniques and modern business strategies, she has not only increased productivity but also diversified income streams, making her farm more resilient to market fluctuations and climate uncertainties.

Beyond farming, Helen plays a crucial role in bridging the rural-urban divide. Through agri-tourism and educational programs, she welcomes visitors to her farm, helping them understand the realities of food production, rural life, and sustainability. Her efforts challenge stereotypes and demonstrate that women can excel in leadership roles within agriculture.

Helen Smith’s story underscores the potential of women to transform farming when given equal opportunities, access to resources, and community support. By encouraging more women into agriculture and providing them with the necessary tools, the industry can become more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable for future generations.

Comparative Perspective: Pakistan vs. UK

While women in the UK, like Helen Smith, benefit from supportive policies, financial access, and gender-inclusive agricultural programs, Pakistani women continue to face systemic barriers that limit their potential in the farming sector. In the UK, government-backed initiatives promote equal opportunities, ensuring that women farmers have the necessary tools, education, and financial backing to succeed. In contrast, Pakistani women often lack land rights, struggle with financial exclusion, and have limited access to modern agricultural technologies.

Despite these disparities, progress is being made in Pakistan through government initiatives aimed at improving women’s participation in agriculture. The Punjab Livestock Program (2024) provides free cattle and interest-free loans to rural women, helping them establish independent livestock businesses. Similarly, the Attock Agri-Tourism Center (2023) encourages women-led entrepreneurship by promoting digital farming techniques and sustainable agricultural practices. These programs demonstrate a shift towards inclusivity and highlight the potential for women to contribute significantly to Pakistan’s agricultural economy.

However, major challenges persist. Pakistan lacks a national gender-sensitive agricultural policy, making it difficult for women to gain equal access to land, finance, and decision-making roles. Additionally, limited technological awareness and advisory services further hinder their progress.

The Way Forward

To create a more inclusive and prosperous agricultural sector, Pakistan must:

1. Improve women’s access to land, finance, and modern agricultural technologies.

2. Invest in youth training programs to introduce climate-smart and digital farming techniques.

3. Implement gender-responsive policies that empower women and address inequality in agricultural practices.

By empowering women and youth, Pakistan can unlock its full agricultural potential, ensuring economic resilience, enhanced food security, and long-term sustainable growth.

Conclusion

The role of women and youth in Pakistan’s agricultural sector is indispensable, yet their potential remains largely untapped due to systemic barriers. Women, who make up most of the rural workforce, are actively engaged in crop production, livestock management, and food processing, but face limited access to land, finance, and modern agricultural resources. Similarly, young farmers, despite their ability to introduce innovation, digital tools, and sustainable farming techniques, struggle with funding constraints, outdated policies, and a lack of training opportunities. These challenges hinder the modernization and growth of Pakistan’s agriculture, limiting its capacity to enhance food security, generate employment, and drive economic progress.

However, promising initiatives are beginning to pave the way for greater inclusivity. Government-led programs, such as Punjab’s Livestock Program and the Attock Agri-Tourism Center, highlight the potential for women’s entrepreneurship and youth-led innovation in agriculture. Yet, more needs to be done. Establishing gender-sensitive agricultural policies, expanding financial access, and investing in modern training programs are crucial steps toward empowering women and youth in agriculture.

By removing barriers and fostering an enabling environment, Pakistan can unlock the full potential of its agricultural workforce, ensuring a resilient, productive, and sustainable farming sector that supports rural development, economic stability, and long-term 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 writers are affiliated with the National Business School, The University of Faisalabad, Pakistan and can be reached at sidragm89@gmail.com & rimshashahid363@gmail.com

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