Post-harvest losses in Pakistan are estimated at 20-40 percent for various crops, due to lack of infrastructure, equipment, tools/implements, and other appropriate technologies, which not only contributes to food insecurity but also leads to significant economic losses for farmers, says the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The Bank in its ‘Adoption of Farm Mechanization for Clean Air: Evidence from Farm Trials in Pakistan’ report noted the contribution of agriculture to GDP has declined in proportion to changes in the composition of the sector, however, the agricultural industry has a much greater potential to contribute to Pakistan’s GDP if it adopts innovative and modern technologies to replace traditional and outdated agronomic and farming techniques.
Mechanization of farming in Pakistan is still in its early stages, with limited adoption of modern machinery and technologies, especially among smallholders. The level of farm mechanization in Pakistan is estimated to be around 50 percent, which is relatively low compared to other developing countries in the region.
The low level of farm mechanization can be attributed to several factors, including small landholdings, lack of access to credit, inadequate infrastructure, and a shortage of skilled labor. Insufficient knowledge of new agricultural technologies or their availability, often due to inadequate extension services and information barriers, can also impede adoption.
Pakistan is home to 8.2 million farm families who are responsible for meeting the basic food and nutrition needs of an estimated population of 212 million people. Approximately 65% of Pakistan’s total population lives in rural areas and is directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture for their livelihood. Agriculture is an important sector in Pakistan, employing over 37% of the labor force and contributing nearly 30% to gross domestic product (GDP).
Indeed, farmers in Pakistan lack infrastructure, equipment, tools/implements, and other appropriate technologies for cultivation, harvesting, sorting, grading, collection, storage, cold storage, and transportation. As a result, farmers incur heavy losses (preharvest and postharvest) of major commodities and quality degradation of perishable products, especially fruits, vegetables, and dairy products.
The Pakistan government has recognized these challenges and has taken several initiatives to promote agricultural mechanization (e.g., subsidies for agricultural machinery, machinery banks, and extension services). However, the adoption of mechanized technologies remains low, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and evidence-based policymaking to address the barriers to mechanization. Removing these barriers would unlock the potential benefits of mechanization for agricultural productivity, food security, and rural development in Pakistan.
The report noted that mechanization can lead to the valorization of agricultural by-products, such as straw, which are often underutilized or wasted in traditional farming systems. Mechanical harvesters and balers can efficiently collect and process straw, enabling farmers to sell it as livestock feed or for other purposes, generating additional income for farm households. In developing countries such as Pakistan, the issue of straw management is crucial.
Traditionally, rice crops were manually cut at the bottom by hand and collected by farmers and farm workers. However, as labor shortages became severe, inappropriate harvesters, i.e., wheat harvesters in Punjab, Pakistan, were used on rice crops, leaving high rice stubble in the fields or burning it, resulting in environmental pollution, GHG emissions, and the loss of valuable rice straw.
Efficient harvesting, collection and utilization of straw can reduce the practice of stubble burning in many agricultural regions in Pakistan and India. Proper rice harvesters can cut the rice straws at the bottom, leaving long straws that are more valuable and easier to collect. Pakistan farmers can sell them at a high price. In addition, mechanization can improve the quality of agricultural products, which can command higher prices on the market.
Mechanized processes can result in cleaner, more uniform, and better-graded products that meet the standards expected by buyers and consumers. This can translate into higher farm-gate prices and better farm performance and profitability indicators for farmers. Mechanization can reduce labor costs associated with land preparation, sowing, and harvesting, which are typically labor-intensive in most developing countries.
By replacing manual labor with mechanized equipment, farmers can reduce their dependence on hired labor, thereby lowering their production costs and improving their profit margins. It is important to note that the benefits of agricultural mechanization can be influenced by various factors, such as the availability of complementary inputs (e.g., improved seeds and fertilizers), access to financing, and the presence of supporting infrastructure (e.g., roads and access to markets, 8 transportation, machinery repair shops, fuel stations). Therefore, efforts to promote mechanization should be accompanied by complementary interventions and policies to improve farm performance.
Land preparation costs can be reduced through better harvesting techniques facilitated by mechanization. Efficient mechanical harvesters leave fields in better condition, with minimal soil compaction and residue management, which reduces the need for intensive land preparation before the next planting season. Therefore, mechanization could lead to cost savings in terms of labor, machinery, and fuel expenses associated with land preparation, it added.