Ali Nawaz Rahimoo
Organic farming in Pakistan holds vast untapped potential, yet it continues to remain underdeveloped due to the absence of effective government policies, inadequate infrastructure, and lack of incentives. Despite global trends shifting toward sustainable agriculture, Pakistan lags far behind. Organic farming is expanding globally. According to the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), the global organic market was valued at over $135 billion in 2022, with Asia accounting for nearly 6.7 million hectares under organic cultivation. Countries like India (2.8m ha) and China (2.3m ha) are making significant strides in this sector. In stark contrast, Pakistan has fewer than 5,000 certified organic farmers, and the total area under organic cultivation is negligible less than 0.1% of total arable land. According to Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), the value of organic agriculture in Pakistan was estimated at $100 million in 2010. Even assuming that this figure has doubled to around $200 million in 2024, it remains a minuscule fraction of Pakistan’s overall agriculture GDP (~$52 billion). Pakistan exports only a small volume of organic products — there’s no dedicated export data available due to lack of formal certification mechanisms. Pakistan continues to spend over $3 billion annually on the import of chemical fertilisers and pesticides. Promoting organic farming can help reduce this burden, especially as the country faces a serious foreign exchange crisis.
Challenges Faced by Organic Farmers
Lack of Certification: Currently, organic certification is mostly obtained from foreign bodies, which is costly and time-consuming. There is no central government-approved certification authority aligned with international standards. Marketing Barriers: Organic producers struggle to market their produce in mainstream vegetable markets due to higher prices and low interest from middlemen. Major supermarket chains demand high margins, making them unviable for small farmers. As a result, many resort to online sales or weekend organic bazaars. Lack of Infrastructure & Incentives: There is no national organic policy, nor are there financial incentives such as subsidies, soft loans, or tax rebates for organic farming ventures. Transport, logistics, and storage support is also nonexistent.
Urban Entrepreneurs & Kitchen Gardening
A small but growing number of urban entrepreneurs and kitchen gardeners are supporting organic farming by collaborating with rural farmers and marketing organic produce through social media and direct-to-home delivery models. However, their reach is limited without institutional backing.
Government Certification Authority: Establish a Pakistan Organic Certification Authority (POCA) that meets EU, USDA, and IFOAM standards to facilitate both local and export sales. Create Organic Farming Zones: Pakistan can collaborate with China, which is among the top producers of organic food, to establish Organic Agriculture Economic Zones (OAEZs) with Chinese investment and technical support. Subsidies and Support Mechanisms: Provide transport facilities, marketing platforms, and storage support at weekly bachat bazaars, especially for small organic growers. Data Collection and Research: Pakistan needs updated and transparent data on organic farming to formulate better policies and attract investment. Education & Training: Introduce organic farming courses at agricultural universities and offer training through agricultural extension departments.
With rising global demand for organic food and mounting pressures on foreign reserves, it is imperative that Pakistan rethinks its agricultural strategy. Promoting organic farming not only ensures healthier food and environmental sustainability but also offers a viable economic path for rural development and export growth. The government must act now with focused policies, investment, and institutional support to ensure that organic agriculture becomes a core part of Pakistan’s future.
The writer is a freelancer based in Umerkot and can be reached at anrahimoo@gmail.com
