Urgent call for action to secure Pakistan’s food future amid climate challenges – SUCH TV
As the world commemorates World Food Day under the theme “The Right to Food for a Better Life and Better Future,” carries profound significance for Pakistan.
The country faces mounting food security challenges amid the escalating impacts of climate change.
On this occasion, Arif Goheer, Executive Director of the Global Climate-Change Impact Studies Centre (GCISC), emphasized the urgent need to safeguard Pakistan’s agricultural systems and ensure every citizen’s fundamental right to food. He said, today, I want to draw attention to the urgent need for transformative action to secure the right to food for every Pakistani. As the Head of the Global Climate-Change Impact Studies Centre (GCISC), an institution at the forefront of climate change research and policy advocacy, I believe it is crucial that we confront these challenges head-on and work together to build a more resilient and food-secure future for our nation.
“Access to food is not just a necessity, it’s a basic human right. For Pakistan, this right is increasingly under threat due to the profound effects of climate change,” Goheer stated. He highlighted that rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, floods, droughts and heatwaves are severely affecting agricultural production, putting millions of people, particularly in rural communities, at risk of hunger and malnutrition.
Pakistan’s food security landscape is increasingly precarious. Agriculture, which employs nearly 40% of the country’s labor force and contributes over 20% to the national GDP, is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy. However, this sector is under tremendous pressure due to climate variability, extreme weather events, resource scarcity, and outdated agricultural practices.
In recent years, Pakistan has experienced prolonged droughts, flash floods, and erratic monsoon patterns, all of which have devastating effects on food production. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the country’s agricultural output, particularly for staple crops like wheat, rice, and maize, has been affected by climatic shocks. These disruptions threaten not only national food security but also the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers who rely on agriculture for their survival.
The Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2023 ranked Pakistan 99th out of 121 countries, indicating a serious level of hunger, with malnutrition and stunted growth affecting a significant portion of the population. Rural communities, which are highly dependent on subsistence farming, are especially vulnerable. For these populations, the right to food is far from guaranteed.
Goheer noted that the agricultural sector, which contributes significantly to Pakistan’s economy and livelihoods, is struggling to cope with these climate-induced disruptions. “Without immediate action, food insecurity will deepen, exacerbating poverty and inequality,” he warned.
At GCISC, we are particularly concerned about the nexus between water scarcity and food security. Agriculture consumes more than 90% of Pakistan’s available freshwater, and with the decreasing availability of water resources—due to glacial melt, reduced river flows, and over-extraction of groundwater—the country’s capacity to produce sufficient food is being significantly undermined. Without a sustainable approach to water management, Pakistan’s food systems will remain vulnerable to climate shocks.
“Through scientific research and innovation, we are working towards an agricultural transformation that can provide long-term food security for Pakistan,” he added.
In the short term, it is essential that we support vulnerable populations by expanding social safety nets, improving access to food markets, and promoting food assistance programs.In the long term, Pakistan must transition towards sustainable, climate-smart agriculture that can withstand the impacts of a changing climate. This will require significant investments in research, innovation, and the adoption of new technologies.
Goheer stressed that tackling food insecurity requires an integrated approach involving government, private sector, civil society, and international development partners. “To ensure a better life and future for all, we must work together to create policies and practices that support vulnerable populations, particularly smallholder farmers, women, and children, who bear the brunt of food shortages.”
He concluded by reaffirming GCISC’s commitment to advancing research on climate-resilience and strengthening the country’s capacity to adapt to the evolving challenges of climate change for various socio-economic sectrs including food and agriculture.
