Pulse production crisis

EDITORIAL: Despite being an agrarian economy, Pakistan is increasingly dependent on imported pulses, spending nearly USD 1 billion annually — a troubling indicator of deep structural weaknesses in the country’s agricultural policies and practices.

Pulses such as lentils, chickpeas and beans are a vital source of affordable nutrition for millions of low-income households. Yet a country with vast agricultural potential is relying more and more on foreign supplies to meet this basic dietary need.

These concerns were highlighted at a recent seminar on “Developing Competitive and Inclusive Value Chains of Pulses in Pakistan,” jointly hosted by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research.

The discussions underscored how far the sector has fallen behind. Despite their nutritional and economic importance, pulses occupy barely five percent of Pakistan’s total cropped area.

Even more worrying is the steady shift of farmers away from pulse cultivation toward more commercially attractive crops. The productivity gap in pulse farming also tells an important story.

While the national average yield is around 553 kilograms per hectare, progressive farmers are achieving yields of up to 1,500 kilograms per hectare. Such a stark disparity suggests that the problem is not merely environmental — as is often assumed — but largely institutional and technological. With better inputs and improved practices, yields could increase substantially.

As experts at the seminar pointed out, several structural constraints continue to hold the sector back. Farmers frequently rely on poor-quality seeds, which limits productivity from the outset.

Disease outbreaks and climate risks further compound the challenge, particularly in rain-fed areas where pulses are typically grown. At the same time, weak market linkages and low farm-gate prices discourage farmers from investing in the crop. When growers cannot secure a fair return, it is only natural for them to shift to crops that promise more predictable profits.

Another serious weakness lies in post-harvest systems. Inadequate processing facilities and weak farm-level quality control mean that even the pulses that are produced often lose value before reaching consumers.

Strengthening these links in the value chain could significantly improve profitability and encourage farmers to expand cultivation.

Equally significant is the disconnect between research and policymaking. Field research has already been conducted in areas such as Rawalpindi, Chakwal and Bhakkar, where farmers are testing improved production practices.

However, the results of such research too often remain confined to pilot projects and academic circles instead of being translated into national policy. Bridging this gap is essential if innovation is to reach farmers at scale.

Policymakers must also reconsider the long-standing practice of relegating pulses to marginal lands. Like other crops, pulses require fertile soil and proper agronomic support to thrive.

Reviving pulse cultivation on productive land would not only increase domestic supply but also strengthen Pakistan’s food security and reduce costly imports.

Achieving this, however, will require coordinated policy reforms, sustained investment in research and extension services, and fair market incentives that make pulse cultivation a viable option for farmers.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026