Pakistan Can Earn Extra $10 Billion By Adopting Tech Solutions in Agriculture: P@SHA

Adopting Agri-Tech solutions like precision farming, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain in Pakistan could increase crop yields by 30 percent and reduce post-harvest losses by 75 percent, potentially generating an additional $8-10 billion in economic impact annually. The Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) has released a comprehensive report emphasizing the transformative potential of agricultural technology (Agri-Tech) in Pakistan. The report highlights that Agri-Tech could drastically reduce cultivation losses by up to 75 percent, enhance farmers’ market access, and eliminate traditional farming inefficiencies. Innovations like cold chains, smart storage systems, solar energy harvesting, and co-storage solutions are projected to reduce costs and improve market prices. P@SHA has emphasized the need for significant investments in digital platforms, rural internet connectivity, and training farmers in digital tools and climate-smart practices. Additionally, subsidies for modern farming tools, including IoT devices, low-interest loans, and tax exemptions for agri-tech startups are critical to encouraging growth in the sector. The report also highlights opportunities for scaling up successful solutions by leveraging global best practices, with the ultimate goal of building a resilient, efficient, and sustainable agri-tech ecosystem that meets the needs of Pakistan’s growing population. To improve logistics and digital markets, the report calls for public-private partnerships and the establishment of a national regulatory authority to coordinate agricultural policies across provinces. It also advocates collaboration between universities, the private sector, and international experts to innovate and implement cutting-edge solutions. P@SHA said that since a significant portion of farmers still use basic mobile phones, Agri-Tech solutions should prioritize SMS-based services for disseminating information. Simple, easy-to-understand SMS alerts for weather, market prices, and pest control can have an immediate impact. Voice-based services in local languages could be another effective solution, ensuring inclusivity for those with lower literacy levels, the report added. With agriculture employing 50 percent of the country’s workforce and contributing 24 percent to the GDP, the report says there is a big need to modernize the sector to ensure food security and economic sustainability.