akistan’s vulnerability to the impacts of climate change is no longer a distant concern. Its position as the eighth most affected country, according to the global climate risk index, underscores the urgency of addressing climate-related challenges.

While devastating floods and droughts are readily observable, the slow-onset effects of climate change are silently transforming Pakistan’s agricultural landscape, impacting livelihoods, food security and the national economy.

The consequences are apparent in southern Punjab where the cotton crop, once the pride of the region, has been crippled by the changing climate, leading to failures and economic losses. Concurrently, warming conditions are stressing wheat crops during the traditional sowing and harvesting months, resulting in shrivelled grains and crop lodging due to untimely high winds.

The situation in northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa mirrors these challenges; erratic rainfall patterns and warming weather necessitate planting strawberries at higher, colder altitudes, affecting a once-thriving source of income for the region.

These climate-related disruptions to key crops highlight the pressing need for Pakistan to strategise and act decisively against the impact of climate change on its agriculture sector.

To overcome these challenges, empowering farmers and providing them with the tools to adapt is imperative. A critical yet often overlooked area of focus lies in Pakistan’s seed sector. Agricultural institutions, supported by the government, must prioritise the development of climate-resistant seed varieties, particularly for cotton, a major export commodity.

The transformative impact of hybrid seeds on corn productivity demonstrates the potential of such interventions. By aligning policies with success stories from other sectors, the country can unlock the potential of its cotton industry and secure a sustainable future for the farmers.

Ensuring that farmers are aware of the challenges they face due to climate change is crucial. They need to understand the changing cropping seasons, suitable times for irrigation, fertilisation and pesticide application. For example, lodging – an issue that arises when freshly irrigated crops soften at the roots – can be mitigated with accurate climate data.

Similarly, the wastage of fertiliser due to unexpected rainfall, which can leech away up to 80 percent of applied fertiliser, can be reduced using timely weather forecasts. Empowering farmers with accurate, easy-to-understand information in local languages and pictorial forms, coupled with decision support systems, can enable them to make informed decisions on crop management.

This might include delaying fertilisation in anticipation of rain or adjusting irrigation practices based on the climate. The government should facilitate the dissemination of hyperlocal weather forecasts, possibly through satellites or widespread weather stations, to promote climate-smart agriculture. Tailored information, along with strategic guidance, can empower farmers to navigate climatic challenges more effectively.

Despite efforts, challenges persist in accessing accurate weather data, largely due to reliance on foreign satellites and a deficit in real-time soil sensing technology. To overcome these hurdles, the government should consider establishing collaborations with international entities. 

Despite efforts, challenges persist in accessing accurate weather data, largely due to reliance on foreign satellites and a deficit in real-time soil sensing technology. To overcome these hurdles, the government should consider establishing collaborations with international entities to trial emerging soil-sensing prototypes and investing in its own satellites or activating climate radars for real-time weather updates.

Simultaneously, attention should be given to the development of weather index-based crop insurance. This hyper-local solution can shield farmers from financial losses associated with weather unpredictability, a pressing issue in the current climate change scenario. The government should evolve from merely providing subsidies to enabling access to such insurance options.

Fostering innovation in the agri-tech sector, for instance, by making satellite data available can propel the industry forward. Data from the Sentinel satellites and Landsat is freely available and valuable but for certain applications that require frequent updates, such as monitoring daily changes in crop health or weather phenomena, the revisit times of these satellites may not provide enough information timely.

Ensuring access to more real-time or near-real-time data, potentially through investment in additional satellite systems or weather radars, could significantly enhance the ability of agri-techs to deliver valuable services, ultimately supporting climate-smart agriculture.

It is imperative to integrate precision agriculture technologies, including variable rate applications, drones and the internet of things into the national agriculture plan. Encouraging public-private partnerships and broadening the reach of emerging agri-tech services, can catalyse farm efficiency and resource management improvements.

It is vital to understand that the intersection of climate change and agriculture bears directly on national food security and economic growth. Hence, fostering a comprehensive national vision is crucial. This vision should be executed at the provincial level and be bolstered by international cooperation.

Together, these strategies can result in a resilient, sustainable agricultural system. Such a system could not only withstand the challenges of climate change but also ensure prosperity for future generations in Pakistan.

The writer is an economics researcher. A graduate from the University of Liverpool, he is currently an associate at the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI)