Challenges

Pakistan’s agriculture sector employs around 40 percent of the national labour force and is a source of income for 34 percent and 74 percent of economically active men and women respectively in the country. At the same time, the country is among the most vulnerable to climate change in the world, which is likely to bring considerable challenges to not only the country’s agriculture sector but also affect poverty, hunger, nutrition, food safety, and security.[1]

The average yield of major crops (cotton, wheat, and rice) in Pakistan is far below its potential. Soil quality and water scarcity pose major limitations in achieving higher crop production, and the uneven use of fertilizers and lack of integration of organic sources are the main factors affecting fertilizer efficiency. In addition, salinity/sodicity, water logging, and soil moisture stress affect fertilizer efficiency. To optimize, capacity is needed to develop climate-resilient agriculture to help increase crop production in a climate-friendly manner.

[1] World Bank. 2017. Climate-Smart Agriculture in Pakistan. CSA Country Profiles for Asia Series. International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT); The World Bank. Washington, D.C. 28 p

Toward a Solution

Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) promotes sustainable agricultural practices by integrating agriculture development and climate responsiveness. Sustainable agriculture practices help strengthen food security as well as contribute to broader development goals such as poverty reduction, combating hunger and malnutrition, and increasing health and well-being. CSA aims to increase productivity while also enhancing resilience and cutting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. As such, promoting sustainable agricultural practices not only supports efficient, effective and equitable food systems but also benefits the overall socioeconomic development of Pakistan.

The project ‘Strengthening and Enhancing National Capabilities for the Development of Climate Smart Crops, Improvement in Animal Productivity and Management of Soil, Water, and Nutrient Resources Using Nuclear and Related Techniques’ aims to help optimize Pakistan’s agriculture sector. It focuses on addressing gaps in the food and agriculture sector by strengthening human resources and infrastructure for the application of nuclear and related techniques in crop and livestock production, crop disease and pest control, soil water management and crop nutrition, and food safety and quality.

Through South-South cooperation and using nuclear technology, the IAEA jointly with FAO has helped build capacity in developing CSA in Pakistan. Developing climate-smart crops, improving animal productivity and the management of soil, water, and nutrient resources contribute to various SDGs, including SDG 1 (Poverty Reduction), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) as well as SDG 15 (Life on Land).

In more concrete terms, IAEA/FAO assistance has helped scientists at the Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB) to assess the impact of climate change in order to enhance agricultural productivity, better adapt and build more resilient agricultural and food security systems, and reduce GHG emissions for food security and sustainable agricultural development. Moreover, through the provision of equipment and training, the project has led to improvements in the soil health of Pakistan’s agricultural land. Using isotopes, the exact amount of the necessary nitrogen for crops can be determined. Nuclear techniques are also used to measure the moisture content of the soil so that the right amount of water can be applied when plants most need it.

Through South-South cooperation, scientific facilities and expertise are shared by NIAB to support other countries in building CSA capacities. For instance, NIAB was designated as an IAEA Collaborating Centre in agriculture and biotechnology in 2023. Under the auspices of the IAEA, NIAB scientists have conducted several expert missions to support other countries in developing their own CSA capacities. Moreover, fellowships for nationals from Burundi, Iraq, Lesotho and Senegal were organized during 2019–2023. In 2023, regional training on CSA, as well as a visit from scientists from Azerbaijan, took place.

To optimize crop production, the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission established four agriculture research institutes across the country specializing in plant mutation breeding and associated technologies. In partnership with IAEA and FAO, these institutes have carried out quality research aimed at fostering the development of new crop varieties in the country. To date, 150 new crop varieties have been introduced, contributing to food security and socio-economic development.[1]

The IAEA and FAO have been working together since the 1980s. One area of focus was the development of a new cotton variety.  As a result, the production of cotton in Pakistan increased from 4.84 million bales in 1983 to 9.63 million bales in 1991-1992.[2] Moreover, the IAEA supported the training of fellows and the organization of workshops and expert missions as part of the national programme, facilitating knowledge exchange and building capacities internationally.

In the field of food safety, IAEA assistance helped establish integrated and cost-effective strategic efforts to monitor and control antibiotic residues in Pakistan. With the support of the IAEA, 129 chemists, food technologists, veterinarians and nutritionists have been training from various national research institutions in the country. Around 500 farmers have also been trained on proper production practices. Facilities and expertise in food safety are offered to other countries, including through regional training efforts. [3]

In the area of animal sciences, NIAB’s capacities in ‘Animal Disease Diagnostic and Vaccine Development’ were built with the support of the IAEA. Expertise was developed and shared internationally in: disease surveillance and epidemiology; molecular and immunological techniques; vaccine production technologies as well as the use of bioreactors in viral vaccine production.

Through these activities, national capacities were not only built in Pakistan but in the region as a whole. The national IAEA technical cooperation programme in Pakistan served as a platform for South-South cooperation in the region, supporting countries in Asia and beyond to apply nuclear technology to develop climate-smart approaches to agriculture.

[1] Pakistan Partnering with IAEA for Strengthening South-South Cooperation, Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, 2024

[2] Pakistan Partnering with IAEA for Strengthening South-South Cooperation, Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, 2024

[3] Pakistan Partnering with IAEA for Strengthening South-South Cooperation, Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, 2024