Agriculture has long been the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, employing over 37% of the labour force and contributing nearly one-fifth to the national GDP. For the longest time, Pakistan was considered solely an agricultural country. While the country has since transitioned into a diversified economy, agriculture remains at the center of our subsistence.
Yet, despite its central role in livelihoods and food security, the sector faces twin existential threats: water scarcity and climate change. These are no longer distant concerns — they are active disruptors of productivity, efficiency, and sustainability. The need for climate-smart and water-resilient farming is not just an environmental necessity, but an economic imperative.
And with the world going where it is in the current political landscape, food security, especially for the financially vulnerable countries like Pakistan has become of utmost importance.
A Water-Stressed Nation Dependent on Agriculture
Pakistan ranks among the top ten most water-stressed countries in the world. Once considered water-abundant, the country is now approaching absolute water scarcity. In 1990, per capita water availability was above 2,000 cubic meters; by 2025, it is projected to fall below 1,000 cubic meters, the threshold of scarcity.
The main culprit is structural: agriculture consumes over 90% of Pakistan’s freshwater resources, much of it inefficiently used. More than 60% of irrigation is done through outdated flood irrigation methods that waste a significant amount of water. Canal water losses, poor on-farm water management, and leaky infrastructure further exacerbate the problem.
What makes the crisis more pressing is the country’s heavy reliance on a single water source: the Indus Basin Irrigation System. With melting glaciers in the Himalayas feeding the Indus River, Pakistan paradoxically faces both flooding and drought — a dual risk that climate change is intensifying.
Climate Change: A Threat Multiplier
Pakistan is the fifth most vulnerable country to climate change, despite contributing less than 1% to global greenhouse gas emissions. Its agricultural sector is already experiencing the fallout.
Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts, and increasingly severe floods have made agricultural yields unpredictable and volatile. In recent years, farmers have reported untimely rains destroying standing crops, while heatwaves and dry spells have stressed water-intensive crops like sugarcane and rice.
The 2022 floods — among the worst in Pakistan’s history — submerged over 3.6 million acres of crops, severely impacting food supply and inflation. Conversely, recurring droughts in regions like Tharparkar have led to crop failures and increased rural poverty. These climate extremes are not isolated events but part of a pattern that threatens to undermine national food security and rural resilience.
Structural Reforms and Smart Solutions
Recognising these risks, Pakistan has begun to shift towards climate-resilient agriculture. But the scale of the challenge requires systemic, long-term reform.
- Efficient Water Use Technologies
There has been a growing push to promote high-efficiency irrigation systems such as drip and sprinkler irrigation, especially in Punjab and Sindh. These systems can reduce water use by up to 50% while increasing crop yields. The Punjab Irrigated Agriculture Productivity Improvement Project (PIPIP), supported by the World Bank, has facilitated the installation of such systems across thousands of farms, demonstrating measurable gains in water productivity. - Water Pricing and Governance
Pakistan still lacks an effective water pricing mechanism that incentivises efficient use. Most farmers receive canal water either free or at subsidised rates, which encourages overuse. A more rational tariff structure, coupled with improved water metering and enforcement, can help curb wasteful usage. - Crop Zoning and Diversification
Pakistan must also re-evaluate its cropping patterns. Sugarcane and rice — water-guzzling crops — are grown extensively even in water-deficient regions. Policymakers are increasingly advocating for zoning restrictions that encourage drought-tolerant and low-water crops in arid areas. Diversification into pulses, oilseeds, and horticulture not only saves water but also improves farm incomes. - Climate-Smart Seeds and Extension Services
To build resilience, investment in climate-resilient seed varieties is crucial. Drought-tolerant wheat, heat-resistant maize, and flood-resilient rice are being developed and promoted under various government and donor-led initiatives. However, scaling their adoption requires robust agricultural extension services — an area where Pakistan lags due to limited outreach and technical capacity. - Data-Driven Decision Making
Digital agriculture is gaining traction. Platforms offering real-time weather forecasts, crop advisory, and market prices via SMS or smartphone apps are being used to guide farmers in adapting to changing climatic conditions. Startups and public-private partnerships, such as those supported by Karandaaz Pakistan, are helping integrate data into daily farming decisions.
The Road Ahead: Policy and Political Will
While numerous projects and pilot initiatives show promise, what Pakistan needs is a coordinated national strategy to mainstream water conservation and climate adaptation across the agricultural landscape.
The National Water Policy (2018) and Climate Smart Agriculture Framework (2021) provide a good starting point. But their implementation has been slow and fragmented across provinces. There is a pressing need to unify these strategies with provincial agricultural extension plans, irrigation reforms, and rural development initiatives.
Moreover, the nexus between agriculture, water, and climate should be treated as a cross-sectoral priority. This means including climate resilience in subsidies, credit facilities, and insurance schemes. It also means investing in climate-resilient rural infrastructure like storage tanks, lined watercourses, and climate-proof roads.
A Climate-Resilient Agricultural Future
Pakistan’s farmers have always shown resilience. From adapting to shifting monsoon patterns to experimenting with new technologies, they have remained at the forefront of innovation born out of necessity.
But the magnitude of the water and climate crisis now requires collective action — from policymakers, researchers, donors, and most importantly, the farming communities themselves.
A climate-resilient and water-secure agricultural sector is not just about saving crops; it’s about securing livelihoods, stabilising the economy, and ensuring food for generations to come.
