Food security

LAHORE: Global food production has largely kept pace with population growth, primarily due to advances in technology and the introduction of high-yielding seed varieties. Unfortunately, Pakistan has not matched this global progress in agricultural productivity.

In 1961, the world supported a population of 3.5 billion by cultivating 1.37 billion hectares of land. By 2011, the global population had doubled to seven billion, but cultivated land had increased by just 12 per cent to 1.53 billion hectares. Despite this, agricultural productivity nearly doubled, resulting in a global food surplus. As of 2025, the global population stands at 8.1 billion, and food production has tripled compared to 1961 levels.

Key contributors to this growth include the Green Revolution, which introduced high-yielding varieties (HYVs), chemical fertilisers and improved irrigation systems. Pakistan participated in the Green Revolution in the mid-1960s but gradually lost touch with ongoing global innovations. Mechanisation -- through the use of tractors, harvesters and other machinery -- has enhanced efficiency elsewhere, but most Pakistani farmers have yet to adopt these practices. Pakistan has one of the lowest numbers of tractors per hectare, and mechanised harvesting is minimal, resulting in significant post-harvest losses due to manual collection.

The use of fertilisers and pesticides initially boosted yields in Pakistan, but rising costs have made them unaffordable for many farmers, leading to reduced usage. Globally, scientific breeding and genetically modified seeds have improved crop resistance to drought, pests, and disease. Some progressive farmers in Pakistan are beginning to adopt hybrid seeds, particularly for IRRI-rice varieties and maize, where productivity has improved. However, wheat -- our staple crop -- continues to underperform.

While agricultural productivity in Pakistan has not declined, its growth has slowed, and current yields lag behind global benchmarks. For instance, average wheat yields in Pakistan range from 2.8 to 3.1 tonnes per hectare, compared to over 3.5 tonnes globally and 5.5 tonnes in China. Furthermore, Pakistan lacks adequate storage facilities, efficient logistics, and modern trade practices, contributing to higher post-harvest losses. In contrast, countries that export agricultural commodities have significantly minimised these losses.

Although global food production continues to exceed population growth, this progress is uneven across regions. According to the FAO, global food production provides sufficient calories and nutrients, but unequal distribution leads to hunger in some areas. Pakistan produces enough food to feed its population, yet a significant portion of the population faces food insecurity due to unequal access.

Several factors contribute to Pakistan’s sluggish growth in agriculture, including outdated seed varieties, poor water management, and insufficient extension services. Urban sprawl, housing developments, and industrial encroachments have also reduced arable land -- over 200,000 hectares have reportedly been lost in Punjab alone over the past two decades. Additionally, waterlogging and salinity have rendered more land unproductive.

Climate change now poses a serious threat to Pakistan’s agricultural productivity. The country is ill-prepared to face this challenge, having failed to develop climate-resilient seeds due to limited investment in research and development. Policymakers must act urgently or risk widespread food insecurity across the nation.