By Asghar Ali Mubarak
In Pakistan, farmers are far more than producers of food; they are the backbone of the nation’s economy, the unseen architects of rural stability, and the custodians of the country’s food security. Yet, despite their centrality, the challenges they face—ranging from climate change to market instability—are mounting, threatening not only their livelihoods but the very foundation of the nation’s sustenance. On National Farmers Day, observed on December 18, Pakistan pauses to honor the tireless labor of these men and women, acknowledging the pivotal role they play in feeding the nation, sustaining rural employment, and contributing to economic resilience. Agriculture in Pakistan is more than a sector; it is a lifeline.
It accounts for roughly 23 per cent of the country’s GDP, while nearly 80 per cent of national income is linked, directly or indirectly, to agricultural products. Some 42 per cent of Pakistan’s workforce depends on farming for employment. The wheat crop, in particular, is both a dietary staple and a critical source of income for millions of families. Recognizing this, the government has approved the Wheat Policy for 2025–26, setting the indicative procurement price at Rs3,500 per 40 kilograms. This move aims to provide fair returns to farmers, secure national food reserves, and stabilize market prices. Under the policy, the federal and provincial governments plan to purchase around 6.2 million tons of wheat to maintain strategic reserves, while all restrictions on inter-provincial wheat movement have been lifted to ensure equitable availability across the country.
These policy measures are not just administrative exercises; they are lifelines in a sector grappling with profound uncertainties. Rising input costs, climate variability, and erratic rainfall patterns are reshaping the agricultural calendar. Traditional sowing and harvesting cycles have become unpredictable, forcing farmers to adapt to a climate that no longer follows familiar rhythms. Wheat, previously sown in early winter and harvested by April, is now threatened by unseasonal heat from March. Maize and cotton are similarly affected, with rains arriving late and unpredictably, disrupting planting schedules and yields. Such shifts have profound consequences for food security, rural employment, and Pakistan’s export revenues, especially in crops like basmati rice and cotton, which generate significant foreign exchange.
The specter of climate change adds urgency to these challenges. Recent research published in Nature Food Science warns that the yields of key crops—including wheat, rice, maize, and soybeans—could fall by half in low-latitude regions like Pakistan if global temperatures continue to rise. Already, erratic weather has reduced wheat production by an estimated 15 per cent this year, while cotton production has halved over the past decade. Floods in 2022 destroyed millions of tons of rice, highlighting the vulnerability of Pakistan’s agriculture to extreme weather events. Without adaptive measures, these trends threaten to exacerbate food insecurity and economic instability, with ripple effects on rural livelihoods and national GDP.
Acknowledging these challenges, the federal government has taken steps to modernize and stabilize the sector. Initiatives include the provision of high-quality seeds, affordable fertilizers, climate-resilient crop varieties, and easy-access agricultural loans. Emphasis is being placed on research, value addition, and export-oriented production, while artificial intelligence and modern technology are being leveraged to enhance productivity. The government is also investing in training agricultural graduates, including sending them abroad to countries like China to acquire advanced techniques, aiming to transform Pakistan’s agricultural sector into a modern, self-sufficient, and globally competitive engine of growth.
Yet, the stakes are high. The wellbeing of farmers is inseparable from the nation’s prosperity. As Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq remarked, farmers’ labor underpins food security, rural development, and economic stability. Their hardships—caused by rising input costs, floods, droughts, and climate variability—demand comprehensive and effective policy interventions, including crop insurance, farmer-friendly credit, and access to modern technology. The government’s coordination with provincial authorities, alongside consultation with farmer organizations, is intended to ensure that policies are inclusive, practical, and responsive to on-the-ground realities.
The wheat policy is emblematic of this approach: it seeks to transition from a state-dominated procurement system to a market-based framework, encouraging private sector participation while maintaining strategic reserves. By setting a price derived from international benchmarks yet adjusted for local costs, the policy aims to safeguard farmers’ incomes without compromising market competitiveness. A National Wheat Oversight Committee, chaired by the federal minister and including provincial representatives, will monitor the policy’s implementation, reporting directly to the Prime Minister. Such mechanisms are essential to ensure accountability, transparency, and effectiveness in a sector that is both economically and socially critical.
(The writer is a senior journalist covering various beats, can be reached at editorial@metro-morning.com)
