Agriculture is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, supporting millions of livelihoods and shaping the country’s economic landscape with vast fertile lands, a complex irrigation system and diverse climatic conditions. The agricultural sector is deeply interwoven with the country’s history, culture and economic stability.
Agriculture is the major contributor to Pakistan’s GDP, and it employs about 38% of the labour force, especially in rural areas. Textile, sugar and dairy industries rely on agricultural raw materials for production. Crops like wheat, rice, maize, cotton and sugarcane are the most widely cultivated crops. Some fruits like mangoes, oranges, apples, dates and potatoes have a high demand in international markets.
Whereas, the livestock sector constitutes more than 60% of the total agricultural GDP. Many dams and barrages, like Tarbela, Mangla, Guddu, Sukkur and Kotri, store and distribute water across the provinces, besides generating electricity. The Indus River is the largest irrigation system, and Pakistan heavily depends on it for irrigation. However, due to rapid population growth and climate change, Pakistan is facing severe water shortages.
The canal system is inefficient, leading to water wastage and unequal distribution. The dam projects of India on western rivers under the Indus Water Treaty are in violation of the treaty, having further reduced water flow. The agriculture sector faces multiple challenges, such as water scarcity, climate change, low productivity due to outdated farming techniques, reduced soil fertility and low crop prices.
Despite these challenges, Pakistan’s agriculture sector has immense potential, and it is becoming a leading global food supplier.
Asma Yaseen Abbasi
Karachi
