Farming needs a digital push

Agriculture in Pakistan relies on land, water, hard work, and farmers’ experience. But these foundations are coming under increasing pressure. Rising costs, water shortages, changing weather, crop diseases and growing demand for food are making farming more difficult. Farmers are expected to produce more with fewer resources, creating a growing need for technology that can help them make better decisions, use resources efficiently and reach markets. From mobile phones and satellite images to artificial intelligence and digital marketplaces, technology is offering new ways to address some of the long-standing challenges facing Pakistani agriculture. A new generation of agri-tech startups is working to make farming more productive, efficient and profitable. Agri-tech covers a wide range of solutions, including mobile applications, satellite monitoring, artificial intelligence, smart irrigation, digital payments, online marketplaces and data-based farming advice. For Pakistan, where agriculture remains central to the economy and rural livelihoods, the development of this sector could have far-reaching effects. One of the biggest needs in agriculture is better and faster access to information. In the past, a farmer looking for advice about a crop disease or pest might have depended on a local agricultural officer, dealer or fellow farmer. Digital services can provide information much more quickly and make agricultural knowledge available to farmers in areas where support may be limited. Startups are developing platforms that provide advice on crops, weather, farm management and market conditions. Knowing when to irrigate, how much fertiliser to use or how to respond to a pest problem can affect both the size and quality of a harvest. In agriculture, where timing can make a significant difference, access to reliable information can help farmers make better decisions. Pakistani companies are using data and digital technology to support agricultural decision-making. Companies use satellite imagery and agricultural data to monitor fields and provide information about crops. Instead of sending people to inspect every field, satellite images can show what is happening across large areas of farmland and help identify changes in crop health. Better agricultural data can also support access to finance. Banks and financial institutions need reliable information when deciding whether to lend to farmers. Satellite data could help them understand the condition of farmland and crops, making it easier to assess agricultural risks. This could support both farming decisions and access to credit. Water is another area where technology could play an important role. Agriculture uses a large share of Pakistan’s available water, while concerns over water availability and climate change are growing. Traditional irrigation methods can result in considerable waste, creating a need to produce more food without simply using more water. Smart irrigation systems offer one possible solution. Sensors can measure soil moisture and show when crops need water, while weather data can help farmers plan irrigation more effectively. Instead of following a fixed watering routine, farmers can make decisions based on the condition of the soil and crops. This can reduce unnecessary water use while ensuring that crops receive water when needed. Precision agriculture takes this approach further. Rather than treating every part of a field in the same way, farmers can use data to identify areas that need more water, fertiliser or pest control. Drones and satellites can help identify stressed crops, while digital maps can show differences in soil and plant health. For a country facing pressure on land and water resources, such technology could help farmers use what they have more efficiently. The future of farming in Pakistan will not be decided by technology alone. Farmers still need reliable water, good seeds, roads, storage facilities, finance and access to markets. Technology cannot replace these basic requirements. Artificial intelligence is also beginning to find a place in agriculture. AI systems can process large amounts of information and identify patterns. One possible application is crop disease detection. A farmer could take a photograph of a damaged plant and use an AI-based system to identify possible causes and treatments. Such technology is still developing and cannot replace agricultural experts. Its effectiveness depends on the quality of the data and the conditions in which it is used. However, for farmers in remote areas, even basic digital assistance could provide an early indication of a problem and help them decide when professional advice is needed. The need for technology also extends beyond the farm. For many small farmers, finding buyers at a fair price can be difficult. They may depend heavily on middlemen and have limited information about prices in other markets. Digital marketplaces are attempting to bridge this gap by connecting farmers with buyers. These platforms can provide information about demand and prices and, in some cases, help organise transport and payments. They do not necessarily remove middlemen, but they can give farmers more information and a wider choice of buyers. Better market information can also help farmers decide where and when to sell their produce. Financial technology is another growing part of the agri-tech sector. Access to credit has long been a problem for small farmers. Without conventional financial records or acceptable collateral, many struggle to obtain formal loans, limiting their ability to invest in seeds, fertiliser, machinery and other inputs. Agri-fintech startups are exploring new ways of assessing farmers. Digital transaction records, satellite information and other data could help financial institutions understand agricultural businesses and assess their risks. This could eventually make it easier for farmers to obtain finance and bring more agricultural businesses into the formal financial system. Livestock, one of the most important parts of Pakistan’s rural economy, can also benefit from digital innovation. Mobile platforms can help farmers access veterinary information, keep records and connect with buyers. Better information about animal health, feeding and breeding could improve productivity and reduce losses. Some of the biggest opportunities, however, may lie after the harvest. Agricultural produce can be lost because of poor storage, inadequate transport and a lack of cold-chain facilities. For farmers growing fruits, vegetables, dairy products and other perishable goods, these losses can be damaging. Producing more food has limited value if a significant amount is lost before reaching consumers. Technology-based logistics and storage businesses are looking for ways to address this problem. Digital systems can help coordinate transport, connect producers with buyers and track products through the supply chain. Better cold storage can also give farmers more time to sell their produce rather than accepting low prices immediately after harvest. Despite its potential, Pakistan’s agri-tech sector faces challenges related to access, cost and trust. Not every farmer has a smartphone, reliable internet or the digital skills needed to use advanced applications. Rural communities also vary in their access to electricity and telecommunications. Drones, sensors and advanced farm equipment may also be beyond the reach of small farmers. Startups will therefore need affordable business models if they want their technology to reach more farmers rather than only large agricultural businesses. In many cases, simple and affordable digital services may have a greater impact than expensive equipment. Trust is equally important. Farmers are unlikely to adopt a new technology simply because it is described as innovative. They need to see that it works under local conditions and provides a practical benefit. Demonstration farms, farmer training and support in local languages could encourage adoption. Technology must fit the realities of farming rather than expecting farmers to completely change the way they work. Government and educational institutions also have an important role. Better digital infrastructure, agricultural research, access to finance and support for startups could create a stronger environment for innovation. Universities could work more closely with farmers and technology companies to develop solutions suited to Pakistan’s agricultural conditions. The future of farming in Pakistan will not be decided by technology alone. Farmers still need reliable water, good seeds, roads, storage facilities, finance and access to markets. Technology cannot replace these basic requirements. What it can do is make agricultural systems more efficient and help farmers make better decisions by connecting them with information, markets, finance and services. The change will not happen overnight, and many technologies are still at an early stage. But from a farmer checking crop information on a mobile phone to a satellite monitoring thousands of acres, the digital transformation is already beginning. For Pakistan, the real test will be whether this innovation can move beyond technology hubs and reach the country’s millions of farmers. If it does, agri-tech could help reduce waste, improve the use of water and other resources, increase access to markets and create new opportunities for rural communities. The fields may still look much the same from a distance. But underneath the traditional landscape, a quieter revolution is taking place, powered not only by soil and water, but by data, ideas and technology. The need for tech-driven agriculture is ultimately about giving farmers the tools they need to deal with a changing agricultural environment and produce more food with limited resources. The article does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Business Recorder or its owners.

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