SCI-TECH
As Pakistan grapples with climate volatility, water scarcity, and the rising demand for food security, a digital transformation is steadily sowing the seeds of change across its agricultural sector. From real-time weather alerts to satellite-guided crop planning, Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are emerging as powerful tools for smallholder farmers facing 21st century challenges.
Over the past few years, ICTs adoption in agriculture has moved beyond pilot projects and become a cornerstone of national development discourse. With agriculture employing nearly 38 per cent of the labour force and contributing almost one-fifth to the country’s GDP, tech-driven innovations are no longer optional; they are essential.
Development partners such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-Pakistan) have played pivotal roles in supporting this transition.
FAO’s ongoing programs in Sindh and Balochistan – under the Resilience and Adaptation by Fostering Anticipatory Action (RAFAA) initiative – integrate early warning systems and digital forecasting tools into community-level disaster preparedness. “With climate threats escalating, we are investing in digital anticipatory action tools that equip farmers with better decisions before a crisis hits,” noted a FAO representative during the 2025 launch in Islamabad.
Meanwhile, WWF-Pakistan has been quietly embedding ICTs within its broader environmental conservation strategy. The organization’s recent collaboration with local governments on community-based climate-smart agriculture in Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) involves digital mapping of biodiversity zones, smartphone-based crop monitoring apps, and capacity building for eco-farmers.
“Technology is helping communities monitor water usage, soil health, and even livestock movements in real time,” says Rao Izhar-ul-Haq, Programme Officer at WWF-Pakistan. “It’s not just about productivity; it’s about sustainable coexistence with nature.”
At the grassroots, these efforts are beginning to show impact. In districts like Multan and Thatta, farmers report lower input costs and improved crop resilience, thanks to mobile-based advisory services and smart irrigation alerts.
The Punjab IT Board’s ‘Zarai Baithak’ app has reached over half a million users, providing location-specific guidance on fertilizer use, pest outbreaks, and market rates. Meanwhile, Sindh’s Department of Agriculture, in partnership with local universities, has expanded drone surveillance for crop health diagnostics, a shift that’s already reducing post-harvest losses.
Yet, the promise of ICTs comes with pressing barriers. Rural internet connectivity, affordability of devices, and digital literacy remain significant hurdles. A 2024 survey found that only 22 per cent of farmers nationwide had access to agriculture-related digital tools.
Experts argue that an enabling policy environment is critical. The forthcoming National Agricultural Policy (2025 – 2030) is expected to emphasize digital transformation, proposing a national e-agriculture framework, tax incentives for agri-tech startups, and expansion of rural connectivity infrastructure.
The private sector, too, is stepping in. Agri-tech startups like Ricult, Taraqee, and Pak Agri Market are offering bundled services ranging from soil analytics to crop insurance via mobile platforms. Multinational players including Huawei and Microsoft have launched precision farming pilots in Punjab and Gilgit.
With changing weather patterns and traditional farming systems under strain, the integration of ICTs into agriculture is not just a tech trend; it’s a survival strategy. And with organizations like FAO and WWF supporting Pakistan’s rural communities through innovative partnerships, the country may well be on the brink of a digital-green revolution.
As farmers across Pakistan prepare for the Kharif harvest, many are no longer relying on instinct alone. They are checking satellite updates, receiving SMS alerts, and scanning apps, proof that the plough and the pixel are finally working hand in hand.