The case for sustainable floriculture in Pakistan

Native flowers, pollinators could unlock a sustainable, export-ready floriculture sector

Pakistan's agriculture is at a critical juncture. Despite their dominance, cash crops such as cotton and sugarcane impose heavy water and soil burdens while delivering comparatively modest economic gains. In contrast, floriculture, while remaining a relatively small segment, provides a viable alternative offering higher profitability and more ecological sustainability, provided it is managed effectively.

Building a green floriculture sector will take far more than replacing cash crops with fields of flowers. It requires a clear focus on promoting indigenous or locally adapted varieties and on restoring the pollination and biodiversity systems that help these plants thrive.

Currently, Pakistan's floriculture value chain suffers from poor planting material, inadequate soil management, inefficient irrigation and low plant density. Investing in local varietals and tailored agronomy can bridge these gaps. Take Rosa Centifolia UAF, developed at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad, which is meant to thrive in local conditions, even flowering above 40°C, and it can be used to make diverse products such as rose water, jam or essential oils. In contrast, many imported cultivars demand heavy inputs and remain vulnerable to heat, drought, and erratic rains.

A greater focus on native and naturalised varieties offers multiple advantages as well. Damask Rose, Narcissus Tazetta, native chrysanthemums, Calendula and Iris species, for instance, may be relevant species to promote instead of hybrids. Aromatic medicinal plants and herbs could also be paid more attention.

A pivot to indigenous varieties can reduce input dependency, lower crop failure risk, strengthen local breeding capacity, and open value-added pathways. Local varieties are naturally adapted to local pests, soils and water regimes, and can help diversify the floriculture sector. While there is some recognition of the need to prioritise native trees and shrubs in plantation programmes, the establishment of wildflower patches is still neglected, even within publicly managed parks.

Equally critical is the role of pollinators. Bees, butterflies and other pollinators are indispensable for ornamental crops, influencing bloom quality and timing. Yet, Pakistan faces alarming declines: three of Pakistan's four native honeybee species are now considered endangered. This pollinator populations decline has broader ecosystem impact on insects and birds, which are also being stressed by unchecked pesticide use. Frequent dengue-control campaigns and worsening air quality have also taken a serious toll. The precise impact of shrinking pollinator populations on floriculture and pollinator-dependent crops is not readily available, but the Honeybee Research Institute's report of a 15 per cent decline in honey production since 2022 underscores the seriousness of the crisis.

Pollinator populations can be revived by planting companion forage flowers, reducing pesticide use, preserving habitat margins and selecting varieties rich in pollen and nectar content. Enhancing pollinator presence in floricultural hubs, like Pattoki and Chunia in Kasur district, could also improve the quality and yield of flowers.

Policymakers need to incentivise pollinator-friendly farming and promote farm-level adoption of sustainable agronomic practices. The payoff will be worth it. By embracing indigenous varieties and biodiversity-friendly practices, Pakistan can carve out a sizeable niche for itself as a 'green' floriculture exporter, and this boost in export earnings need not come at the cost of environmental sustainability or the rapid depletion of natural resources.