ISLAMABAD: Pakistan lags behind its regional counterparts in smart agriculture and must accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), mechanisation, and water-efficient techniques to enhance the productivity and climate resilience of its agricultural sector—the backbone of the national economy.
Currently, Pakistan’s agricultural sector seems at a crossroads. While countries like China and India have made significant progress in smart agriculture, Pakistan must accelerate its efforts to ensure food security and economic stability.
By integrating AI, water-efficient techniques, and mechanization, Pakistan can transform its agriculture sector into a sustainable and high-yield industry, securing a prosperous future for its farmers and economy.
A comparative analysis with China and India shows that Pakistan’s agricultural sector lags behind its regional counterparts in smart farming adoption, mechanization, and water-efficient techniques.
India has moderate progress, while China leads with advanced technological integration. To revitalize Pakistan’s agricultural sector, the government must increase investment in smart agriculture projects, particularly in water-efficient technologies.
Farmer training programs should be launched to educate farmers on the benefits and operation of hydroponics, aeroponics, and precision farming.
Financial support in the form of subsidies and incentives should be extended to farmers for adopting modern machinery and irrigation systems.
Collaboration between tech companies and agricultural research institutions through public-private partnerships can accelerate smart farming adoption.
Traditionally, Agriculture remains the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, contributing nearly 19% to the GDP and employing around 38% of the labour force.
However, the sector faces numerous challenges, including outdated farming techniques, inefficient water usage, climate change, and low mechanization.
With Pakistan being a water-stressed country, adopting smart agriculture is no longer an option but a necessity.
Smart agriculture, which integrates technology, data-driven insights, and sustainable practices, is being increasingly adopted worldwide to enhance productivity and efficiency.
While China and India have made significant strides in mechanization and digital farming, Pakistan is still in the early stages of this transformation.
Pakistan has started embracing smart agricultural technologies, with multiple initiatives aimed at improving productivity and sustainability.
The Pak-China Joint Laboratory for AI and Smart Agriculture, established at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), promotes artificial intelligence, drone technology, and precision farming to boost agricultural efficiency.
The Kisan360 App, developed in collaboration with China, provides real-time insights on crop health, soil moisture, and fertilizer requirements.
More than 1,000 farmers in Punjab and Islamabad have adopted it, leading to better yields and reduced input costs.
Maize-soybean intercropping, adapted from Chinese practices, optimizes land use and enhances productivity.
The National Research Center of Intercropping at The Islamia University of Bahawalpur has introduced it in multiple provinces.
Given Pakistan’s looming water crisis, incorporating water-saving agricultural techniques is imperative.
Dryland farming, also known as barani agriculture, is widely practised in arid regions such as Balochistan and parts of Punjab.
Crops like wheat, barley, and pulses are grown without irrigation, relying solely on rainfall. Around 25% of Punjab’s arable land, about 3.1 million hectares, falls under this category.
Hydroponics, a soil-less farming method, is gaining traction in urban and peri-urban areas. Companies like Pakistan Hydroponics and LEO Corporation provide turnkey solutions to farmers and home gardeners, allowing crops to be grown with 90% less water than traditional farming.
Aeroponics, an advanced farming technique where plant roots are suspended in air and misted with nutrient-rich water, is being tested in Pakistan for high-value crops like lettuce and strawberries. It significantly reduces water consumption while increasing yield.
Pakistan’s mechanization rate remains low compared to its regional counterparts. The lack of modern machinery, limited access to credit, and reliance on traditional farming methods hinder large-scale adoption.
Despite government efforts to promote mechanization, challenges persist in terms of affordability and farmer awareness.
India has made substantial progress in modernizing its agricultural sector through a mix of technological innovations and government-led initiatives.
Climate-resilient seeds include 109 varieties that counter unpredictable weather patterns. At least 25% of paddy fields are set to be cultivated with these drought-resistant seeds.
Organic cotton farming in Madhya Pradesh has reduced dependence on genetically modified seeds, supported by organizations like WWF and SRIJAN, enhancing soil health and profitability.
Hydroponics and vertical farming have surged, particularly in cities like Bangalore and Delhi, where land availability is scarce. Entrepreneurs are investing in climate-controlled greenhouses to ensure year-round production.
India has a significantly higher mechanization rate than Pakistan. In 2013, India produced 619,000 tractors, accounting for 29% of global output, making it the largest tractor producer and market worldwide.
The adoption of two-wheel tractors has been slower, but large-scale mechanization has improved farm efficiency, particularly in Punjab and Haryana.
Despite these advancements, smallholder farmers still struggle with access to credit and resources, limiting mechanization in certain regions.
China has rapidly integrated technology into agriculture, leading to remarkable improvements in efficiency and output.
The Five-Year Smart Farming Plan (2024-2028) aims to digitize agriculture using big data, AI, and GPS technology. By 2028, China plans to establish a national agricultural big data platform.
Gene-editing and biotechnology efforts have focused on developing high-yield, drought-resistant crops like wheat, corn, and soybeans.
Automated machinery, including autonomous tractors, drones, and AI-driven monitoring systems, has optimized farm operations.
China has pioneered several water-efficient agricultural techniques to combat its resource constraints. Drip irrigation is widely used in arid regions, delivering water directly to plant roots and reducing wastage.
Precision agriculture employs satellite imagery and IoT sensors to monitor soil moisture, ensuring optimal water usage.
Large-scale hydroponic farms have been established in urban centres, minimizing water consumption while maximizing output.
China has one of the highest mechanization rates in the world. In 2013, the mechanization level of agricultural crops exceeded 50%, and by 2023, it had reached nearly 60%.
The proportion of privately owned tractors rose from near zero in 1975 to over 80% in 1985, demonstrating rapid adoption.
The latest form of agriculture is often referred to as “Agriculture 4.0” or “Smart Agriculture.” It involves the integration of advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), precision farming, big data analytics, and automation to improve productivity, efficiency, and sustainability in farming. Some cutting-edge agricultural techniques include:
Precision Agriculture uses GPS, sensors, and AI for precise planting, watering, and fertilization. Vertical Farming grows crops in stacked layers indoors in controlled environments.
Aeroponics & Hydroponics are methods of soilless farming that use minimal water. Automated Machinery & Drones include AI-powered robots and drones for planting, monitoring, and harvesting.
Last but not least, CRISPR Gene Editing enhances crop traits like drought resistance and pest resistance.
Pakistan is gradually adopting Agriculture 4.0, integrating AI, IoT, and automation to enhance efficiency.
That pace needs to multiply in order to make up for the lapses and also to keep up with the global transformation of agriculture.
