Climate Change is Reshaping Pakistan’s Agriculture—Can We Adapt?
Yasrab Iftikhar
Lahore: The alarming impacts of climate change—rising global temperatures, erratic weather patterns, and extreme climatic events—are posing an imminent threat to water resources and agricultural productivity in Pakistan.
Experts warn that the country faces a serious risk of water scarcity, reduced crop yields, and food insecurity if proactive measures are not taken.
A 2024 report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) ranks Pakistan among the top 10 countries most vulnerable to climate change.
The devastating floods of 2022 provided a stark example of how climate-related disasters are disrupting the nation’s agricultural sector.
The floods, exacerbated by glacier retreat and landslides, affected 33 million people and caused significant damage to agrifood infrastructure.
The sector, which includes crops, livestock, and fisheries, accounted for 24.99 percent of the total damages, leading to a temporary decline in agricultural livelihoods, employment, and exports.
Erratic Weather Patterns and Their Impact
Weather experts have documented a significant temperature rise in Pakistan over recent decades, with an increase of about 0.5°C since the 1960s. Projections indicate that by 2050, the average temperature may rise by an additional 1.3°C to 1.5°C.
Rainfall patterns have also become increasingly erratic, with some regions experiencing severe droughts while others are inundated by unpredictable downpours.
For the first time in history, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a severe drought advisory for Punjab due to a 40 percent below-normal rainfall.
Similarly, the Pakistan Meteorological Department’s National Drought Monitoring Center (NDMC) has reported that between September 1, 2024, and January 15, 2025, rainfall across Pakistan was 40 percent below normal, with Punjab recording a 42 percent deficit.
The sharp decline in rainfall has intensified water stress in cultivated lands, particularly in rain-fed regions, jeopardizing the Rabi crop season.
Sajjad Ahmed, a farmer from the outskirts of Lahore, lamented the financial toll of the prolonged dry spell. “This is critical. Small farmers are already giving up and looking for jobs,” he said. He noted that his potato yield had dropped significantly.
“We usually harvest 100 to 120 sacks per acre, but this winter, we barely managed 60.”
The prolonged dry conditions are also raising concerns for wheat farmers. Ishfaq Ahmed, a farmer from Multan, emphasized the importance of winter rains for wheat cultivation.
“Five years ago, we used to receive winter rains for at least a week. Even minimal rainfall was sufficient for our crops. This year, we are still waiting for the rain, and if it doesn’t happen soon, our wheat yield will suffer.”
Food Security at Risk
Agricultural experts warn that if the current dry spell persists, it could negatively impact the yield of wheat, potato, cotton, and rice—staple crops that contribute significantly to Pakistan’s food security and economy.
The Punjab Agriculture Department has raised concerns about the ongoing drought and its potential repercussions on water resources and agricultural productivity.
Recognizing the severity of the situation, the Punjab government is working on strategies to mitigate climate change effects. These include water conservation measures, public awareness campaigns, and collaboration with researchers and agricultural experts.
“We must immediately focus on forestry and energy sectors while also adopting modern agricultural techniques and climate-resilient farming practices,” suggested Dr Muhammad Saleem Haider, Dean of the Agriculture Department at Punjab University.
Dr. Haider emphasized that tackling climate change requires a collective effort.
“Researchers, academia, media, and government departments must come together to address this challenge. If we fail to take decisive action now, future generations will bear the brunt of our inaction.”
With climate change intensifying its grip on Pakistan’s water and food systems, urgent adaptation and mitigation strategies are needed.
Without immediate intervention, the country could face severe food and water crises, further exacerbating socio-economic challenges in the years to come.
The feature report was released by APP on March 1, 2025.
