In recent years, Pakistan has embarked on a major transformation in its agricultural sector through the Green Pakistan Initiative (GPI). This project aims to optimize land use, increase productivity, and attract foreign investment. It represents a joint vision of the government and military leadership to position agriculture as a key driver of Pakistan’s economy while ensuring sustainability for the future.
Pakistan’s total land area is 79.6 million hectares, of which 24.1 million hectares are cultivated. However, 9.1 million hectares remain available for agricultural use, representing significant untapped potential. Under GPI, 4.8 million acres of land have been identified for agricultural development, including 1 million acres in Balochistan, 1.2 million acres in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 1.3 million acres in Punjab, and 1.36 million acres in Sindh.
One of GPI’s notable accomplishments is the allocation of 1 million acres of land for immediate development. This includes 811,619 acres in Punjab and 52,713 acres in Sindh. 47,606 acres in Balochistan and 74,140 acres in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are being cultivated under a cooperative model through local field formations. This includes approximately 67,000 acres at Zarmillan in South Waziristan Agency.
The de-desertification of 734,000 acres of desert land is currently underway, converting previously barren areas into productive farmland. This ambitious transformation is a crucial step toward enhancing Pakistan’s food security and reducing reliance on agricultural imports. Among the most notable projects under the Green Pakistan Initiative (GPI) is the corporate farming venture in the Cholistan Desert, where over 200,000 acres have already been contracted for cultivation. This effort to turn desert land into fertile agricultural zones represents a significant investment in the country’s agricultural future, boosting both economic growth and sustainability.
In its inaugural year of GPI, over 67,000 acres of additional land were brought under cultivation, producing over 1 MMT of wheat during the Rabi 2023/24 season and generating dividends exceeding 6 billion Rs. While GPI aims to promote technologydriven, large-scale corporate farming, its primary focus remains on smallholder farmers, who constitute more than 95% of Pakistan’s agricultural sector. The policy interventions being pursued are designed to maximize dividends for small-scale farmers, driving social uplift and economic improvement.
GPI is driving its initiatives through various specialized verticals, including the Land Information & Management System (LIMS), which serves as its technical arm. LIMS provides real-time information to farmers and decision-makers through remote sensors, utilizing advanced AI-based algorithms to integrate vast datasets with sensor data.
LIMS is also undertaking the massive task of digitizing Pakistan’s land data, having already uploaded records for 680,000 acres. In addition, around 100,000 registered farmers are receiving weekly crop monitoring reports, enhancing their ability to make timely and informed decisions. To support this, over 1,000 agricultural officers from all four provinces have been trained in crop monitoring.
LIMS has also demonstrated its technical capabilities in the digital monitoring of desilting operations in Punjab. Remote sensors were used to monitor over 22,000 kilometers of canals across six divisions, with 689 irrigation officers trained for these operations.
The Green Agri Mall initiative is transforming Pakistan’s agricultural landscape by offering farmers a comprehensive, one-stop solution that spans pre- to post-harvest services. In collaboration with 20 partner companies, these malls provide essential agricultural inputs such as fuel, fertilizers, pesticides, and certified seeds at competitive company rates.
A notable achievement of GPI is the establishment of Pakistan’s first fully automated Smart Agricultural Farm in Kundai, Cholistan, covering 5,000 acres. This farm is equipped with IoT-based sensors for crop monitoring, automated machinery, and advanced irrigation solutions, showcasing GPI’s vision for technology-driven, large-scale corporate farming.
With plans to establish 250 more Green Agri Malls across the country over the next two years, the initiative is set to revolutionize Pakistan’s agricultural sector. Complementing these malls is the Agri Service Company, which provides smallscale farmers access to advanced machinery, including heavy-duty tractors, a wide range of agricultural implements, harvesters, and agricultural drones. These cutting-edge tools are available at affordable rental rates, enabling smallholders to adopt modern farming practices and improve productivity.
The Green Pakistan Initiative (GPI) also focuses on water management through its technical arm, Green Pakistan Water Management, which seeks to implement efficient irrigation solutions across various project sites. Additionally, the initiative enforces a groundwater abstraction regulatory regime to preserve subsurface aquifers, safeguarding vital water resources.
In addition to these initiatives, the Seed Amendment Act aims to significantly increase the provision of quality seeds in Pakistan, raising availability from the current 3040% to 70-80% within the next five years. It encourages cooperation between public and private seed companies and opens up opportunities for multinational investments in Pakistan’s seed market.
With a continued focus on sustainable agricultural practices and fostering international collaboration, the Green Pakistan Initiative is poised to revolutionize the agriculture sector. By integrating advanced technology and promoting eco-friendly methods, the initiative aims to drive Pakistan toward a greener, more prosperous future. This forwardthinking approach not only enhances productivity but also ensures long-term environmental sustainability, positioning Pakistan as a leader in modern agriculture.
The columnist is an MPhil scholar from Quaid-e-Azam University and a freelance writer. She can be reached atmariamansab@ir.qau.edu.pk
