Major Challenges Faced in 2025 by Agriculture Sector in Pakistan
Agriculture has always been the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, employing a significant portion of the population and contributing substantially to the country’s GDP. However, despite having the world’s largest irrigation system, the agricultural problems in Pakistan are escalating rapidly, posing serious threats to food security, economic stability, and overall growth. The year 2025 intensifies these challenges as the sector grapples with low growth and severe external pressures. Agriculture growth slowed further to just 0.56% in FY 2024-25, with major crops contracting by 13.5%, driven by extreme weather, rising input costs, and flawed policies — making 2025 a critical year to address these pressing issues.
Water Scarcity and Irrigation Issues
Pakistan’s irrigation system, the largest globally, is under tremendous pressure. Inefficient water management, structural losses, and expanding water scarcity in key agricultural provinces like Sindh and Balochistan have severely restricted water availability. Despite the critical role of irrigation, canal water losses reached an alarming 38% in early 2025 due to seepage and theft, with Sindh and Balochistan receiving record low water allocations.
The construction of new dams, improved water storage solutions, and adoption of efficient irrigation techniques are urgent to ensure farmers get adequate water supply when needed. Equally important is tackling the unequal distribution of water, which significantly hampers agricultural productivity.
Did you know? Canal water losses in Pakistan surged to 38% in January 2025, severely affecting irrigation in drought-hit Sindh and Balochistan.
Outdated Agricultural Practices and Technology
Agriculture in Pakistan remains heavily reliant on traditional farming methods, and many farmers lack access to modern tools and techniques. This has contributed to stagnant yields and limited per-hectare productivity. Introducing technologies like precision farming, automated irrigation, and soil health monitoring could transform productivity and sustainability. However, the uptake of such technologies is still limited due to insufficient training and awareness among farmers.
Did you know? Punjab’s Smart Agri Initiative introduced drone spraying and subsidized soil sensors in 2025, benefitting over 10,000 farmers already.
Heavy Dependence on Fertilizers and Imported Inputs
Pakistan continues to depend heavily on imports for fertilizers and other critical agricultural inputs — a major problem for farming economics. Early 2025 saw fertilizer prices surge again by nearly 18%, exacerbating costs for farmers. While global prices of fertilizers like urea have fallen recently, these reductions have not effectively reached Pakistani farmers due to supply chain and policy challenges.
Encouraging local fertilizer production and promoting organic alternatives can reduce farmers’ input costs while supporting environmental sustainability.
Land Ownership Inequality
The highly skewed distribution of land remains a barrier to agricultural growth. A small elite holds a majority of fertile land, while smallholder farmers operate on fragmented, suboptimal plots. This disparity restricts adoption of mechanization and modern techniques and perpetuates rural poverty.
Land reforms and policies to empower smallholders with better land access and resources are essential for a more efficient and equitable agricultural sector.
Challenges Due to Climate Change
Climate Change continues to hit Pakistan’s agriculture hard, with unpredictable weather causing heatwaves, droughts, and flash floods. The 2024-25 cropping year saw a 13.5% decline in major crop production, including wheat, cotton, maize, sugarcane, and rice, due to climate shocks compounded by policy missteps.
Farmers need access to climate-resilient crops, improved weather forecasting, and insurance schemes to protect against losses. Sustainable strategies like crop rotation, agroforestry, and water conservation will be vital in reducing vulnerability.
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Farmers need better access to climate-resilient crops, weather forecasting technologies, and insurance schemes to help them mitigate the risks associated with climate change. Additionally, adopting sustainable farming practices like crop rotation, agroforestry, and water conservation can help reduce the vulnerability of the agriculture sector.
Gender Inequality in Agriculture
In Pakistan, women play a crucial role in agriculture, especially in rural areas. However, their contributions often go unnoticed, as they are typically not recognized as farmers or landowners. Women farmers face significant barriers, such as lower wages, lack of property rights, and limited access to training and resources. Empowering women in agriculture is essential for the sector’s development.
Political Instability and Lack of Consensus
The agricultural sector in Pakistan is also affected by political instability and the lack of a cohesive strategy across federal and provincial governments. With a coalition government at the center and varying political interests across provinces, it becomes difficult to implement long-term policies that could address structural issues in agriculture.
For the sector to thrive, there needs to be broad political consensus on key agricultural policies. The government must prioritize agriculture as a key sector for economic growth and ensure that all stakeholders, including farmers and landowners, work together to address the challenges facing the sector.
Access to Markets and Fair Prices
One of the biggest concerns for farmers is the lack of fair access to markets. Farmers often have to sell their produce to middlemen at lower prices, leaving them with little profit. Additionally, the lack of proper infrastructure and transportation facilities makes it difficult for farmers to access markets, especially in remote areas.
Improving market access, reducing the role of middlemen, and providing farmers with better storage facilities can help them get better prices for their produce. Strengthening agricultural cooperatives and linking farmers directly with buyers can also improve market efficiency and ensure fair pricing.
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The challenges faced by farmers in Pakistan in 2024 are numerous and multifaceted. However, by addressing these issues through a combination of technological innovations, policy reforms, and greater political will, Pakistan can uplift its agricultural sector and achieve food security. It’s time to focus on the structural issues that continue to hold back progress and ensure that farmers receive the support and resources they need to thrive. Only then can Pakistan’s agriculture sector contribute to the growth and prosperity of the nation.
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FAQs
What were the major challenges faced by farmers in Pakistan in 2024-25?
Farmers struggled with severe water shortages caused by aging irrigation systems and high canal water losses, outdated farming methods limiting productivity, high fertilizer costs, and uneven land distribution. Climate change added unpredictability, with floods and droughts damaging major crops.
How is Concave AGRI supporting farmers to resolve agriculture problems in Pakistan?
Concave AGRI works closely with farming communities, offering training on modern farming, precision agriculture, and sustainable practices. It facilitates access to advanced tools, market linkages, and climate-resilient crops to improve productivity and incomes.
What are the main agriculture problems in Pakistan in 2025, and how can they be solved?
Water scarcity, outdated technology, and dependence on costly imports remain top concerns. Solutions include upgrading irrigation infrastructure, encouraging tech adoption, improving local input production, enacting land reforms, and fostering climate-smart farming to boost resilience and profits.