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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has emerged as one of the worst-affected countries in Asia&rsquo;s decades-long agricultural losses, a new UN report says, with monsoon floods impacting over 9 million people and wiping out 849,000 hectares of crops as the country continues to grapple with the fallout of the 2022 catastrophe.&nbsp;The Food and Agriculture Organization&rsquo;s (FAO) Impact of Disasters on Agriculture and Food Security 2025 report estimates that disasters have caused $3.26 trillion in agricultural losses worldwide between 1991 and 2023, around $99 billion annually, roughly four per cent of global agricultural GDP.&nbsp;Asia accounted for the largest share at 47%, reflecting both its extensive agricultural base and heightened exposure to floods, storms and droughts.&nbsp;In Pakistan, FAO notes that repeated monsoon disasters have fundamentally altered the country&rsquo;s agricultural landscape. Severe soil erosion, salinization, prolonged waterlogging and damage to irrigation networks have created long-term recovery challenges, with smallholder farmers facing the deepest setbacks. Rural communities still rebuilding after the 2022 floods have been particularly vulnerable to the latest rounds of flooding, which have further disrupted cropping cycles and local markets.&nbsp;The UN assessment shows that disaster impacts extend far beyond immediate crop losses. Between 1991 and 2023, global disasters destroyed 4.6 billion tons of cereals, 2.8 billion tons of fruits and vegetables, and 900 million tons of meat and dairy products.&nbsp;This equates to a global daily per capita reduction of about 320 kilocalories, a nutrition gap the FAO warns could fuel deeper food insecurity, especially in countries facing compounding shocks. The report also highlights the rapid digital transformation reshaping disaster risk management in the agricultural sector. Tools such as artificial intelligence, drones, remote sensing, sensors and mobile connectivity are enabling real-time monitoring, more accurate early warnings and better-targeted interventions. &ldquo;Digital technologies are already revolutionising how we monitor risks, deliver early warnings and support farmers&rsquo; decision-making,&rdquo; FAO Director General QU Dongyu said.&nbsp; He added that digital platforms are helping 9.1 million farmers access parametric insurance, while enhanced early warning systems have enabled authorities to evacuate up to 90% of at-risk populations before disasters strike.&nbsp;FAO warns that disasters also inflict long-lasting damage on infrastructure, markets, financial systems and ecosystems, impacts that can persist for years. It urges countries to expand assessment tools to better capture both direct and indirect losses, including the differentiated effects on vulnerable groups and the degradation of natural systems.&nbsp;Beyond agriculture, marine heatwaves have caused an estimated $6.6 billion in global fisheries losses between 1985 and 2022, affecting 15% of fisheries and reducing production by more than 5.6 million tons, signalling growing risks across food systems worldwide.&nbsp;The agency calls for sustained investment in climate-resilient agriculture and digital innovation, warning that increasingly frequent and severe climate-related disasters will continue to test global and national food security unless long-term adaptation measures are prioritised.

Economy

Report says the 2023 monsoon floods impacted over 9 million people and wiped out 849,000 hectares of crops as the country struggles to recover from the 2022 catastrophe.

Pakistan among Asia’s worst-hit by decades of agricultural disasters: UN

Maham Khan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is advancing a strategy to expand its meat and agricultural exports, aiming to position itself as a major player in the global halal market through regulatory reforms, infrastructure upgrades, and international partnerships, officials and industry experts said. The country aims to capture a larger share of the global halal market, valued at about $407.8 billion in 2023, according to a report by ICRIC, an affiliate of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Success could generate billions in foreign exchange and create jobs for millions, though infrastructure deficits and regional competition pose significant challenges. Untapped export potential Pakistan has 251.3 million livestock, with a growth rate of 3.18% annually since 2006, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics&rsquo; 7th Agricultural Census released in August 2024. The sector accounts for 63.6% of agricultural GDP and 14.97% of the total GDP, as per the Economic Survey 2024-25 released in June 2025. The Ministry of National Food Security and Research reported in June this year&nbsp;that over eight million rural families rely on livestock as their main livelihood. Despite this massive base, meat exports reached just $512 million with 123,515 tons in fiscal 2024 &mdash; a 20% increase from $426 million but under 3% of total exports, according to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics data reported in July 2024. Over 97% of Pakistan&#39;s approximately 2.2 million tons of meat production is consumed domestically, according to the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan&#39;s Meat Export Strategy 2023-2027. The government aims to address&nbsp;barriers through infrastructure investment, skills training and technology upgrades to modernize processing facilities, improve cold storage networks and strengthen disease control systems. Infrastructure challenges Infrastructure deficits remain the primary obstacle. In September 2025, the government announced plans to establish modern abattoirs and processing facilities nationwide to meet international halal standards. Outdated cold chains limit capacity. Production costs reach $5 per kilogram compared with India&#39;s $3.5 per kilogram, as revealed during a meeting with PM&rsquo;s&nbsp;Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar Khan with industry stakeholders on October 20, 2025. Foot and Mouth Disease restricts access to premium markets. October 2025 discussions with Malaysia and Qatar addressed these challenges while opening cooperation channels. Pakistan also vowed to improve disease control, breeding programs and traceability systems. Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain said at an October 19, 2025, meeting that Pakistan would overcome production costs and cold chain deficiencies through targeted interventions and public-private partnerships. International cooperation International partnerships provide access to expertise, technology and markets. October 2025 meetings with Australia, Malaysia, Qatar and the United States secured technical support. The Samsons Group is partnering with the Ministry of National Food Security and Pakistan Agricultural Research Council to improve livestock breeds, feed quality and disease control.&nbsp; The partnership aims to position Pakistan in, while promoting value-added products and agro-tourism in areas including Malam Jabba Valley in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Australia, which exported 1.69 million metric tons of beef in 2024, according to Meat and Livestock Australia, will provide technology transfer.&nbsp; Discussions with Qatar and US focused on improving livestock genetics, disease management and research to enhance compliance and market access in the Middle East, Southeast Asia and beyond. Private sector role Private sector engagement drives the strategy. Government partnerships with private companies aim to modernize processing and boost export potential through capital investment. Their focus on value-added halal products aligns with growing global demand for certified, sustainable food. Government-backed initiatives, including Samsons Group&rsquo;s Malam Jabba Valley project, combine mountain agriculture and livestock development to create rural income and enhance sustainability. Economic visionPakistan&rsquo;s livestock population grew from 143 million in 2006 to 251.3 million in 2024, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. Dr. Ikramul Haq, a leading Pakistani economist, says this growth presents a major opportunity for the country. &ldquo;Pakistan has huge potential in this sector, thanks to its rapidly growing livestock population. With one of the largest livestock populations in the world, this subsector is vital, accounting for more than 60% of the country&rsquo;s total agricultural economy,&rdquo; he said. He noted that boosting productivity, quality and compliance could drive significant growth in domestic and international markets. Pakistan aims to increase competitiveness in key markets. The United Arab Emirates accounted for 39% ($200 million) and Saudi Arabia 28% ($142 million) of meat exports in fiscal 2024, according to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics data. Expansion targets include Europe and Southeast Asia. The strategy positions Pakistan as a major player in the halal market, leveraging its large livestock population, established halal practices, strategic location between Middle Eastern and Asian markets, and a young workforce.

Pakistan is pursuing reforms, infrastructure upgrades, and international partnerships to expand its halal meat exports, though outdated facilities, disease control gaps, and logistics challenges continue to limit competitiveness.

Pakistan targets global halal market with reforms to boost meat exports

BEIJING: Pakistan and China signed bilateral agreements worth $8.5 billion on Thursday across various sectors, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif describing it as a &ldquo;long march of economic growth.&rdquo; Chinese and Pakistani companies signed $7 billion in memoranda of understanding (MoU) and $1.54 billion in joint ventures at the Second Pakistan-China B2B Investment Conference in Beijing. Sectors covered include agriculture, electric vehicles (EVs), solar energy, health, chemicals, petrochemicals, iron, and steel. In his address, the Pakistani PM announced the launch of CPEC 2.0, aimed at attracting investment into diverse sectors and creating job opportunities. He assured Chinese investors that bureaucratic delays would be eliminated. Describing the forum as a reflection of the &ldquo;iron-clad brotherhood&rdquo; between Pakistan and China, Mr. Shehbaz stated that Pakistan was committed to investor facilitation and security for Chinese nationals. &ldquo;The safety of Chinese citizens is paramount,&rdquo; he said. The Pakistani PM praised China&rsquo;s transformative influence on Pakistan&rsquo;s energy and infrastructure. He noted that Pakistan overcame severe power outages thanks to China&rsquo;s support.He also pledged to focus CPEC 2.0 on business-to-business investments in agriculture, IT, artificial intelligence, minerals, and industrial relocation. Highlighting the importance of special economic zones for attracting investment, Sharif called for Chinese partnerships to modernize Pakistan&rsquo;s agriculture. Over 60% of the country&rsquo;s population is employed in the agriculture sector. The Pakistani PM recalled his first visit to China in 1982. He lauded China&rsquo;s economic rise and leadership under President Xi Jinping, stating he was committed to replicating China&rsquo;s development model to transform Pakistan&rsquo;s economy. The conference was attended by senior Chinese and Pakistani officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Pakistan&rsquo;s Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi, and Chinese trade representatives.

The deals aim to boost investment, job creation, and economic growth 

Articles tagged with "Pakistan agriculture"

Pakistan among Asia’s worst-hit by decades of agricultural disasters: UN

Pakistan targets global halal market with reforms to boost meat exports

CPEC 2.0: Pakistan, China sign $8.5 billion economic deals