FOR a significant period in the history of Pakistan, agriculture has been the predominant occupation of landlords. In regions like KP, Sindh, Balochistan and specifically Punjab, people are heavily involved in farming and raising livestock due to the abundance of fertile land and freshwater rivers. This is perhaps why Pakistan has remained an agrarian society since its inception. However, traditional methods of crop production and distribution have led to problems that undermine the agriculture sector, consequently leading to food insecurity in Pakistan.
Pakistan’s population of 241.5 million, growing at 2.55% annually since 2017, exacerbates food insecurity, evident from its 99th rank on the Global Hunger Index. The disparity between population growth and food production is significant. Frequent floods, with 29 since independence and annual occurrences recently, severely impact crops, causing shortages and high prices. The 2022 floods devastated key crops like wheat, rice, fruits, and vegetables. While farmers seek government subsidies post-disasters, long-term solutions like constructing dams and widening irrigation canals are essential for sustainable mitigation.
To meet the needs of the public, countries around the globe are developing more efficient means to accelerate agricultural processes and double yield. Unfortunately, Pakistan is an oligarchic state, ruled and driven by older people who favour ancient methods of agriculture. Hence, it lacks the touch of technology, ultimately affecting the outcome. In contrast, various states have adopted innovative concepts such as precision agriculture technology, agro-forestry, and vertical farming. Similarly, Pakistan needs to keep pace with technological advancements in agriculture.
The failure to address food insecurity reveals the weakness of the government which cannot work in isolation from the private sector. The government can collaborate with educational institutions or private firms for research and development. There are 33 top organizations in Pakistan working on developing efficient means for agriculture. For instance, ‘Crop2x’ is a private limited company that provides IoT and AI services to increase crop yield. Similarly, LUMS University conducts research on technology for enterprises such as Nestle and Bayer. Regrettably, the government rarely welcomes innovation, which is the reason for technical backwardness.
It is absurd to criticize the government alone without mentioning other stakeholders contributing to food insecurity. The role of middlemen, wholesalers, and retailers in the distribution process is central to the discussion. In most cases, these stakeholders, specifically the middlemen, exploit prices for their interests, making it hard for daily wagers to buy food at affordable prices. Lower and middle-class citizens are already struggling to survive the inflation storm, and with the additional misadventures of middlemen, their lives are further at stake.
The world has now transformed to a greater extent and is more connected than ever. Decision-makers must consider new methods to revitalize the agriculture sector; otherwise, technological backwardness will put Pakistan at a disadvantage. Agriculture used to be one of Pakistan’s major sources of economic growth due to the large number of exports to other countries. However, this figure has decreased over time. A recent report shows that Pakistan’s wheat production is estimated at 29.69 million tons against the set target of 32.2 million tons for the Rabi season 2023-2024, which is a loss.
Ironically, wheat was once among Pakistan’s top exports, but now the country imports it from Russia and Ukraine. To address the food production gap, the government should adopt precision agriculture technology to increase yields, reduce waste, and improve efficiency, despite high initial costs. The poor and undernourished face severe hardships due to food scarcity and high prices. The state must prioritize its citizens, invest in transforming agriculture, and implement strict checks on middlemen to provide relief and eliminate exploitation.
—The writer is associated with the Associated Press of Pakistan.
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