Agriculture has long been the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, shaping livelihoods, food security, and industrial supply chains. At the time of independence in 1947, agriculture contributed about 61% to the country’s GDP. Today, however, that contribution has fallen to nearly 24%. Despite employing more than one-third of the workforce, the agriculture sector in Pakistan is struggling with declining productivity, outdated practices, and rising climate challenges.
In recent years, these issues have intensified. Growth in agriculture slowed to only 0.56% in FY 2024-25, while major crops such as wheat, rice, maize, and sugarcane contracted by 13.5%, largely due to extreme weather, rising input costs, and policy gaps. These indicators reflect the seriousness of the problems of agriculture in Pakistan, which not only threaten rural incomes but also endanger national food security and economic stability.
The question then arises: what exactly are the most pressing challenges, and how can modern technology, particularly precision farming, provide sustainable solutions?
Major Problems of Agriculture in Pakistan
1. Water Scarcity and Inefficient Irrigation
Although Pakistan has the world’s largest irrigation system, water availability is declining rapidly. Canal water losses were witnessed in early 2025 due to seepage, theft, and poor maintenance. Provinces such as Sindh and Balochistan have suffered record-low water allocations, leaving farmers unable to meet irrigation needs.
Most of the agricultural land depends on the Indus River Basin, making the country highly vulnerable to water mismanagement and climate shocks. Without modern irrigation systems, water productivity remains among the lowest in the region, worsening the farming problems in Pakistan.
2. Outdated Agricultural Practices
Another critical issue is the continued reliance on traditional farming methods. Most smallholder farmers lack access to modern tools, mechanization, or training in advanced techniques. As a result, per-hectare productivity has stagnated for decades.
Encouragingly, pilot projects have shown what is possible. For example, Punjab’s Smart Agri Initiative in 2025 introduced drone spraying and subsidized soil sensors, directly benefiting more than 10,000 farmers. Yet, such programs remain limited in scale compared to the sector’s vast needs.
3. Misguided Policies and Input Dependence
Agricultural policies in Pakistan have often prioritized subsidies over innovation. Fertilizer subsidies, for instance, reduce input costs temporarily but do little to improve output efficiency. The sector also remains heavily dependent on imports of fertilizers and pesticides. In 2025 alone, fertilizer prices surged, creating financial stress for farmers.
Meanwhile, research and development (R&D) spending in agriculture has remained minimal since the 1980s. Without investments in innovation and training, the agriculture sector in Pakistan struggles to adapt to modern challenges.
4. Land Ownership Inequality
Land ownership remains highly skewed, with a small elite controlling most of the fertile land. Smallholder farmers are left with fragmented plots, restricting their ability to adopt mechanization or benefit from economies of scale.
This inequality also perpetuates poverty and social gaps. Land reforms attempted in the past (1958, 1972, 1977) did little to address these disparities, leaving many farmers dependent on landlords or trapped in cycles of tenant labor.
5. Climate Change and Environmental Stress
Climate change poses one of the greatest threats to Pakistan’s agriculture. The 2024–25 cropping year saw a 13.5% decline in major crop production due to heatwaves, droughts, and flash floods. FAO estimates suggest that nearly three-fourths of Pakistan’s soil is degraded, further reducing fertility.
Sustainable strategies such as agroforestry, crop rotation, and water conservation are needed urgently. Without them, the agriculture sector will continue to face severe climate-related shocks.
6. Gender Inequality in Agriculture
Women play a significant role in agriculture, particularly in rural areas where they are engaged in planting, harvesting, and livestock care. Yet, they are rarely recognized as farmers due to a lack of land rights, lower wages, and limited access to training.
Empowering women farmers with property rights, skills development, and access to credit could significantly boost productivity and reduce rural poverty.
7. Political Instability and Lack of Consensus
Agriculture policies often fall victim to political instability. Different federal and provincial governments pursue divergent agendas, making long-term planning difficult. Without consensus on critical issues such as irrigation infrastructure, land reforms, and R&D funding, structural problems in agriculture persist.
8. Market Access and Price Instability
One of the most pressing current agricultural issues is the lack of fair market access. Farmers often have no choice but to sell their produce to middlemen at low prices. Poor infrastructure, limited storage facilities, and weak transportation networks make matters worse, particularly for smallholders in remote areas.
Strengthening cooperatives, building storage facilities, and linking farmers directly with buyers could help ensure fairer pricing and reduce exploitation.
How Technology Can Help
While the challenges are immense, technology offers promising solutions to many of the farming problems in Pakistan. The integration of modern farming methods can help the sector become more resilient and productive.
1. Precision Farming with AI
Precision agriculture uses technology to apply water, fertilizer, and pesticides exactly where and when they are needed.
For example, a study in Bangladesh showed that precision farming increased yields by 22.5% compared to traditional methods. Given the similarities between the two countries, Pakistan could achieve similar results.
2. Circular Agricultural Economy
Pakistan generates nearly 650 million tons of agricultural waste annually from crops like rice, wheat, maize, and sugarcane. If harnessed properly, this waste could generate up to 30% of the country’s electricity needs through biomass energy.
AI can play a crucial role in this transition by tracking waste production, running simulations for optimal use, and linking farmers to industries that rely on agricultural by-products.
3. Regenerative Agriculture
AI-powered monitoring tools can also help promote regenerative agriculture. By analyzing soil health and biodiversity, farmers can reduce chemical use, restore fertility, and improve yields. Initiatives such as the WWF-led Regenerative Production Landscape Collaborative in Punjab and Balochistan provide a model for scaling these efforts.
4. Data-driven Decision Making
For policymakers, data-driven insights can support better decisions on subsidies, climate adaptation, and supply chain efficiency. Moreover, such systems can create new jobs in agri-technology, from data analysts to AI advisory services for farmers.
5. Market Linkages and Digital Platforms
Digital platforms powered by AI and mobile technology can connect farmers directly with buyers, reducing reliance on middlemen. These platforms can also provide real-time price updates, weather forecasts, and advisory services, empowering farmers to make better marketing decisions.
Current Agricultural Issues and Future Outlook
The current agricultural issues in Pakistan are not limited to water shortages or outdated practices. They are structural, deeply rooted in inequality, policy gaps, and weak institutional support. Without decisive action, food security and economic stability will continue to be under threat.
Yet, with the right investments in technology, farmer education, and supportive policies, Pakistan can overcome these barriers. Adoption of precision farming, renewable energy from agri-waste, and data-driven decision-making can transform the agriculture sector in Pakistan into a modern, sustainable engine of growth.
Concluding…
The problems of agriculture in Pakistan are numerous and interconnected. However, technology offers a path forward. By embracing artificial intelligence, precision farming, regenerative practices, and digital market linkages, Pakistan can revitalize its agriculture sector.
Modernization is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity. The agriculture sector in Pakistan must adapt swiftly to ensure food security, strengthen rural incomes, and drive national economic growth. With political will, farmer empowerment, and technological integration, Pakistan can address its farming challenges and build a more sustainable agricultural future.
