Pakistan's Shift to Wheat Imports Reflects Agriculture Challenges

Pakistan finds itself transitioning from a wheat exporter to an importer due to formidable challenges within its agriculture sector. The nation's key cash crop faces obstacles such as limited market access, outdated farming practices, and the growing impact of climate change, leading to more frequent droughts and floods, as reported by Bloomberg.

Similar to its neighbor India, the majority of Pakistan's farmers operate on a small scale, posing difficulties in implementing large-scale changes. Sabbah Uddin, an analyst and farmer, emphasized the lack of resources and technology, stating, "We have land but lack a coherent strategy."

As Pakistan's population expands, the government has been compelled to seek external sources to meet its food requirements. The average wheat yield over the past five years, at 2.9 tons per hectare, is notably lower compared to India by 17%, China by 49%, and the European Union by 47%.

The persistent dependence on a fragile industry, coupled with the looming threat of climate change, has raised serious concerns about food security, warns Abdul Wajid Rana, a program leader at the International Food Policy Research Institute in Islamabad.

Addressing these challenges, corporate farming under the Green Pakistan Initiative emerges as a potential avenue to enhance crop yields. In a significant move late last year, Pakistan inked a memorandum of understanding with Kuwait for $10 billion worth of projects, including initiatives focused on bolstering food security.