By Zeeshan Gull
As we move toward Kissan Day and extend Salam Kissan to Pakistan’s farmers, it is both an honour and a responsibility to recognise their struggles and remarkable resilience. Paying tribute to those who sustain the nation’s food system means acknowledging the pressures created by climate change and the urgent need for modernization.
Pakistan’s agriculture sector stands at a critical turning point as the country confronts climate-driven disasters as a new normal. The devastating floods of 2022 and 2025 have exposed vulnerabilities in a farming system still heavily reliant on traditional methods.
As highlighted in FAO’s The Impact of Disasters on Agriculture and Food Security 2025 report, extreme weather events are now causing unprecedented economic and nutritional losses globally, with Pakistan among the most affected. This report argues that Pakistan must urgently modernize its agricultural practices to protect national food security and build resilience against recurring climate shocks.
Climate-related disasters are increasingly undermining Pakistan’s ability to sustain stable food production. According to the above-mentioned FAO report, floods are the single most destructive hazard worldwide, responsible for over USD 1.5 trillion in agricultural damage over the past three decades.
Pakistan’s recent floods submerged vast croplands and displaced farming communities, mirroring global patterns where hydrometeorological hazards dominate agricultural losses. The FAO further notes that such disasters directly reduce yields, degrade soil health, and disrupt entire value chains, effects that are already visible in Pakistan through crop failures, rising food prices, and declining rural incomes.
The economic burden of recurring disasters compounds the fragility of Pakistan’s agrifood systems. With nearly half of the population tied to agriculture for their livelihood, the FAO report’s finding of USD 3.26 trillion in global agricultural losses (1991–2023) underscores how disproportionately such shocks affect developing economies. Pakistan’s farmers face similar pressures: instability of agrarian GDP, limited access to finance, and heightened vulnerability to long-term climate risks such as droughts and heatwaves.
FAO’s assessments also show that losses in food production resulting from natural disasters translate into major nutritional deficits, globally reducing 320 kcal per person per day, a warning sign for a country already battling malnutrition and food insecurity. These losses make it clear that Pakistan cannot rely on conventional farming methods to withstand the scale of climate challenges ahead.
To overcome these systemic risks, Pakistan must accelerate the shift towards modern technology-enabled agriculture. The FAO report emphasizes that modern tools, such as digital advisory systems, climate-strengthened early-warning mechanisms, precision irrigation, and AI-based risk monitoring solutions are now essential components of resilient and sustainable agriculture. Agri-modernization will not only increase operational efficiency but also reduce the manual burden on farmers and help stabilize crop yields under volatile climate conditions.
Countries investing in tech-enabled modern farming systems are already benefiting from faster disaster detection, better resource management, and enhanced food system stability. Pakistan’s timely adoption of similar solutions can transform its agricultural landscape and shield millions from future climate-driven disruptions.
Private-sector actors like Fatima Fertilizer have pioneered initiatives to modernize farming and empower farmers long before climate shocks became national crises. At Fatima Fertilizer, through its initiative ‘Salam Kissan,’ the company reaffirms its commitment to empowering farmers, not just by recognizing their struggles but by providing the support and solutions they need to thrive. Private-sector actors like Fatima Fertilizer have pioneered initiatives to modernize farming and empower farmers long before climate shocks became national crises.
As early as December 18, 2019, Fatima Fertilizer proposed Kissan Day, the first-ever national platform to honor Pakistani farmers and highlight systemic challenges to their livelihoods. This symbolic gesture has grown into a nationwide movement for agricultural transformation and was subsequently recognized by the Federal Government as the official Kissan Day. Complementing this, Fatima Fertilizer’s Salam Kissan initiative amplifies farmer voices, drawing attention to their contributions, hardships, and aspirations, reinforcing their central role in Pakistan’s food security.
Beyond advocacy, Fatima Fertilizer has invested heavily in modern farming solutions. Employing pivot irrigation systems, high-tech tractors, and satellite-based imagery for weather forecasting, soil moisture monitoring, and nutrient-need assessment, the company has transformed farm productivity while reducing resource wastage. On-ground advisory teams, supported by accredited labs, train thousands of farmers annually through 52 mega seminars and field engagements, sharing modern, climate-smart practices such as 4R Nutrient Stewardship. Its products, including Nitrophos and CAN, increase yields by over 10%, as validated this year in wheat competitions where farmers achieved 93 district-level top positions and 3 provincial distinctions.
Fatima Fertilizer has also introduced the Sarsabz Asaan app for its dealers, offering a user-friendly platform to place orders, remit payments, and track fulfillment in real time. Additionally, the Sarsabz Tabeer initiative empowers rural women with modern food processing skills, enabling financial independence, reducing post-harvest losses, and driving sustainable agriculture.
Launched in 2022, Sarsabz Tabeer integrates the voices and contributions of women into Pakistan’s agricultural narrative and operates on four key pillars, education, financial aid, skill development, and health. Digital tools like the Sarsabz Pakistan mobile app provide real-time weather alerts, crop-stage advisory, and nutrient guidance, while financial platforms such as FasalPay and Grow Now Pay Later expand access to inputs and credit.
Fatima Fertilizer’s adoption of the UNDP SDG Impact Framework, the first by a private-sector company in Pakistan—further demonstrates its commitment to sustainability-aligned agricultural development. Together, these initiatives illustrate a holistic approach to modern, resilient, and productive farming.
In conclusion, Pakistan’s exposure to flood-induced agricultural damage is no longer a temporary challenge but a long-term structural threat. The evidence presented by FAO makes it clear that traditional farming cannot safeguard the nation’s food security in an era of escalating climate extremes. Agri-transformation is no longer an optional choice but an imperative necessity. By embracing technology-driven farming methods and initiatives like Salam Kissan, Sarsabz Tabeer, and Asaan App, Pakistan can build a more resilient agrifood system and secure a stable, food-secure future for its people.
The writer is a communications expert and maintains the keen expert in agriculture transformation.
