Climate change threatens Pakistan's agricultural stability
- Farmers in Pakistan face multiple challenges including poor irrigation systems, low-quality seeds, and exploitation by middlemen.
- Climate change is threatening the agricultural productivity of the country, affecting key crops like cotton due to rising temperatures.
- Sustainable agricultural policies and support are urgently needed to enhance resilience against these challenges and ensure food security.
Pakistan is facing significant challenges in its agricultural sector, which is crucial for the country's economy and livelihood of millions. The lack of proper irrigation systems, quality seeds, and modern technology hampers farmers' productivity. Moreover, exploitation by middlemen and disputes over land rights aggravate these difficulties, impacting agricultural output and the well-being of farmers. With the looming threat of global warming, Pakistan's glacial waters essential for irrigation are at risk, with the year 2024 recording an average temperature increase that breaches the critical limits set by international agreements. The country's irrigated farmlands, which cover over 40 million acres, are essential for feeding its population. However, climate change is becoming a pressing issue affecting food production, particularly with the severe impact of excessive heat on key crops like cotton in 2024. Furthermore, salinity in the soil threatens the fertility of farmlands, leading to decreasing agricultural yields. Reports indicate that over 6.69 million hectares of land are currently affected by salinity, exacerbated by global warming. The government's initiatives to combat soil salinity have historically included major reclamation projects, yet a lack of adequate financial resources remains a significant hurdle. The situation is complicated by increasing incidents of violence and extremism in regions like Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which disrupt essential public services and hinder development efforts. The government must take multifaceted actions to address both infrastructural shortcomings and the underlying issues driving extremism to stabilize agriculture and overall national governance. Collaborative policies involving stakeholders from agriculture, climate science, and local communities are essential to fostering resilience against climate impacts. Ultimately, sustainable agricultural practices and strengthened policies addressing climate change and resource management will be vital for Pakistan’s future. Without concerted efforts and investment in resilient agricultural strategies, the challenges facing farmers and agricultural sustainability will deepen, posing a threat to food security and economic stability in Pakistan.