BY COMMERCE REPORTER
LAHORE: The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry has raised serious concerns about the decline in wheat production for the 2024-25 season and feared a significant threat to Pakistan’s food security.
LCCI President Mian Abuzar Shad, Senior Vice President Engineer Khalid Usman and Vice President Shahid Nazir Chaudhry said that over half of the population relies on agriculture for their livelihood while it is contributing 24% to the GDP and 37% to employment. However, they warned that the ongoing climate challenges could drastically reduce agriculture’s share in the national economy if immediate and effective measures are not implemented.
The LCCI leadership expressed concern over Pakistan’s low average wheat yield of 3.3 tons per hectare, lagging behind regional players like China and India. They said that China produces over 137 million tons annually with a yield of 4.8 tons per hectare, thanks to modern agricultural techniques and research investments. India, too, outpaces us with 110 million tons and yields of 3.5 tons per hectare. They mentioned that 3.4 horse power per hector energy is available in India as compared to 1.28 horse power in Pakistan.
“Given the dry weather this year, wheat production is expected to decline, posing challenges to food security and economic stability”, they said and added that a shortfall in 2024-25 could force a return to heavy imports, inflating the import bill and straining the national budget.
The LCCI underscored the urgent need for government intervention saying that the farmers should be provided with the access to high-quality seeds, particularly hybrid varieties and fertilizers to combat adverse weather conditions and enhance productivity. They said that invest in irrigation infrastructure and increase water storage capacity by building reservoirs like the Kalabagh Dam to address water shortages during dry spells.
The LCCI office-bearers said that the government should develop and promote drought-resistant wheat varieties to mitigate climate risks. The farmers should be given easy access to loans for wheat growers to help them manage production costs effectively.
“Wheat is the lifeline of our food security. A decline in production will not only impact farmers but also burden consumers with higher prices and disrupt industries like poultry,” the LCCI office-bearers added.
They urged the government to prioritize a comprehensive climate adaptation strategy that addresses farmers’ needs and safeguards Pakistan’s food security. “By supporting our farmers and adopting innovative practices, we can mitigate these risks and ensure sustainable agricultural growth.
