Pakistan Become The 14th Most Water-Stressed Country In The World
- Pakistan is ranked as the 14th most water-stressed country globally, with freshwater availability dropping below the severe water scarcity threshold.
- A new report highlights that governance issues, policy shortcomings, and inefficient farming practices are worsening the effects of climate change on agriculture.
- The report recommends strengthening existing policies, modernising irrigation, restoring degraded land, and improving farmer support through technology and advisory services.
Pakistan has been identified as the world’s 14th most water-stressed country, with rapidly declining freshwater resources creating serious challenges for agriculture, food security, and long-term economic stability. These findings are presented in the research report Sustainable Agriculture in Pakistan: Can Pakistan Meet Its Future Food Requirements?.
According to the report, climate change alone is not responsible for the country’s agricultural difficulties. It states that weak governance, ineffective policy implementation, and inefficient farming methods have intensified the impact of floods, droughts, and heatwaves on Pakistan’s agriculture sector.
The agriculture sector contributes approximately 24 percent to Pakistan’s gross domestic product while providing employment for more than 37 percent of the country’s workforce. It also plays a vital role in ensuring food supplies and supporting the livelihoods of a population exceeding 240 million people.
The report highlights that Pakistan’s renewable freshwater availability per person has declined to below 1,000 cubic metres, which is recognised as the benchmark for severe water scarcity.
The situation is further strained because nearly 90 percent of the nation’s agricultural production depends on the Indus Basin irrigation system. It also explains that increasing temperatures, shifting monsoon patterns, extended dry periods, and recurring floods are lowering crop production while exposing farmers to greater risks.
Additionally, changing weather conditions have led to increased pest infestations, placing additional financial pressure on farmers. The report points to excessive irrigation, continuous monocropping, and the heavy application of chemical fertilisers and pesticides as major factors contributing to declining soil fertility and environmental degradation.
Rather than introducing new legislation, the report recommends improving the implementation of existing national frameworks, including the National Climate Change Policy, the National Food Security Policy, the Recharge Pakistan programme, and the Green Taxonomy framework.
Among its key recommendations are upgrading irrigation infrastructure, rehabilitating degraded land, expanding agricultural advisory services, and providing climate-smart financial support for farmers.
The report also emphasises the importance of stronger collaboration between the government, academic institutions, and the private sector. It further recommends increased investment in agricultural extension services to equip farmers with better technology, practical knowledge, and expert guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Indus Basin irrigation system and why is it important? The Indus Basin irrigation system is Pakistan’s primary irrigation network, supplying water to nearly 90 percent of the country’s agricultural land. Since most farming depends on this system, any reduction in water availability directly affects crop production and farmers’ livelihoods.
What does monocropping mean, and how does it affect agriculture? Monocropping is the practice of growing the same crop repeatedly on the same land. While it can simplify farming, continuous monocropping can reduce soil fertility, increase pest problems, and make crops more vulnerable to diseases over time.
What are climate-smart financial facilities for farmers? Climate-smart financial facilities are funding and financial support programmes designed to help farmers adopt sustainable farming practices, invest in modern irrigation technologies, manage climate-related risks, and recover from extreme weather events.
