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Food and Agriculture Sector

Agriculture is one of the key sectors of Pakistan’s economy containing livestock, forestry and fishing;
with crops being the primary component. The industry produces 19.3% of overall yield of Pakistan
and gives employment to in excess of 38.7% of the populace which is significantly higher than any
other sector. Almost 64 % of the populace of Pakistan is living in rural regions and depends on this
sector for its livelihood. Industries such as textile, food manufacturers, sugar and many more are
reliant on the agriculture sector.

A large output from this sector yields high economic growth and trade as the employees belong to
the low – middle social economic class and consumption is high when funds are available. However
the industry has not been reaching its capable potential as the crop yields have been declining in the
previous years.

The major threats to the industry are as follows:

Water • Has played a major role in declining outputs

• Has resulted in loss of land for agriculture
Scarcity

• Owing to these, the farmers have not been able to

Instable receive any aid from the government
• Strict price controls adversely impact revenues and
Policies reinvestment in the sector

• Presence of middlemen has cause exploitation to

farmers
Middlemen • Mostly uneducated with no backing, the employees
have been exploited vastly by underpaying

However, the current government has realized the importance of the agriculture sector and have
formulated policies to improve the output such as offering interest free loans, introduction of
Kisaan Card and exchange of technologies owing to CPEC. The future looks promising.