Pakistan proposed a new agro-concept for dryland farming

Pakistan is considering a new concept integrating water, energy, and food production that could elevate the country’s agricultural sector to a higher level of resilience. This approach, designed for regions facing severe water scarcity, aims to reduce dependence on resource-intensive technologies and ensure food security without increasing environmental pressure.

A new study published in the journal Agricultural Systems presents the first quantitative model for transitioning to sustainable agriculture through comprehensive management of water, energy, and food systems (WEF Nexus). According to the authors, the model can be applied not only in Pakistan but also in many other semi-arid regions around the world. The study was led by Professor Chen Yanin from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and addresses a key question: how to increase agricultural productivity amid the depletion of critical natural resources.

Analysis of thirty years of data (1991–2021), covering agriculture, hydrology, and energy, revealed a significant mismatch between resource consumption and output. Pakistan’s agriculture consumes nearly 90% of the country’s available freshwater, yet wheat yields are only half of the global average. Projections for 2031 indicate that under the current agricultural model, achieving a 15.1% increase in productivity would require an 82.25% rise in pesticide use, a 19% increase in fertilizer application, and a 5.42% expansion of cultivated land, while water availability would decline by 4.22% and energy availability by 6.15%.

These trends highlight the need to move away from traditional, resource-intensive approaches. The WEF Nexus concept emphasizes more efficient water use, adoption of renewable energy in agriculture, balanced use of agrochemicals, and strengthened intersectoral coordination. “Strategies focused solely on expanding farmland or increasing chemical inputs are no longer viable,” said Hassan Iqbal, the study’s lead author.

Practical solutions proposed by the researchers include implementing drip irrigation systems to reduce water consumption by 15–20%, using solar energy for agricultural operations to cut energy costs, and integrated pest management to reduce chemical usage by up to 40%. The authors stress that in the context of climate risks and growing resource pressures, such comprehensive solutions are critical for water-scarce countries, particularly Pakistan, where the proposed model could be implemented in the coming years.

Tags: Pakistan, drought