Food crisis, solutions & outlook to 2040
Muhammad Haider
PAKISTAN’S agriculture plays a vital role in the country’s economy, food security and rural livelihoods. VISION 2040 is a forward-looking initiative by The Agropreneurs to explore opportunities for a productive, sustainable and resilient future for agriculture in Pakistan.
Through research, community engagement and collaboration, the initiative aims to gather diverse perspectives, encourage innovation and identify practical, evidence-based approaches to agricultural development. With a focus on farmers’ livelihoods, efficient resource management, technological advancement and inclusive growth, VISION 2040 seeks to contribute towards a stronger, more sustainable and economically viable agricultural sector for generations to come.
Our goals for 2040: Vision 2040 is guided by five interconnected priorities: 1. Productive and Profitable Agriculture: Identify ways to improve productivity, reduce avoidable costs, use resources efficiently and strengthen farm profitability, ensuring agriculture remains a viable livelihood. 2. Climate Resilience and Resource Conservation: Promote farming systems better prepared for heat, droughts, floods and changing rainfall, while protecting soil health, conserving water and managing groundwater responsibly. 3. Innovation That Benefits Farmers: Encourage affordable and accessible technologies, including improved seeds, modern machinery, digital advisory services, satellite data and artificial intelligence, to support better farming decisions. 4. Inclusive Growth and Rural Livelihoods: Expand opportunities for smallholders, tenants, women, young people, livestock keepers, farm workers and rural entrepreneurs through better access to knowledge, finance, markets and technology. 5. Food Security and Evidence-Based Policies: Support affordable and nutritious food, reduce post-harvest losses, strengthen market linkages and encourage cooperation among farmers, researchers, businesses and public institutions.
These priorities are closely linked: sustainable production depends on healthy natural resources, innovation requires skills and investment and agricultural growth must translate into better livelihoods and improved food security. A Vision Shaped by the Agricultural Community: Pakistan’s agricultural challenges cannot be addressed by any single organization. Farmers understand ground realities, researchers provide evidence, entrepreneurs develop solutions, businesses connect markets and public institutions shape policies.
Vision 2040 invites the entire agricultural community to contribute, including: • Farmers, smallholders and tenants. • Women, young people and agricultural entrepreneurs.• Livestock keepers and farm workers.• Researchers, universities and extension professionals. • Agribusinesses, technology providers and service companies. • Financial institutions, policymakers and development organizations. The initiative aims to capture perspectives from different provinces, farming systems and professional backgrounds. Understanding these diverse experiences is essential to identifying realistic solutions for Pakistan’s agricultural future.
Why 2040? Agricultural transformation requires long-term commitment. Improvement in soil health, irrigation, research, mechanization, storage, skills and digital infrastructure cannot be achieved overnight. The year 2040 offers a planning horizon to look beyond immediate challenges and consider the agricultural systems future generations will inherit. While the future cannot be predicted with certainty, today’s decisions will shape the sector’s productivity, resilience, sustainability and inclusiveness.
Vision 2040 aims to bring people together, identify priorities and encourage informed action towards a stronger agricultural future for Pakistan. “Connecting People to Smart Agriculture & Sustainable Resources”
—The writer is founder of the Agropreneurs, Sustainable, Smart, Agriculture, based in Karachi.
