By Rahmatullah Buriro
Pakistan’s agricultural economy stands at a critical crossroads where traditional farming methods are increasingly failing to cope with climate change, water scarcity, declining productivity, and a rapidly growing population. In such circumstances, the federal cabinet’s approval of the “National Agricultural Biotechnology Policy (NABP) – 2025” is not merely an administrative development; it is a significant political, scientific, and economic declaration about the future direction of Pakistan’s agriculture.
The policy has emerged after a prolonged institutional vacuum. According to the Ministry of National Food Security, the agricultural biotechnology sector in Pakistan had long suffered from the absence of a clear, comprehensive, and unified strategic direction. This gap resulted in fragmented research efforts, weak regulatory mechanisms, limited innovation in seed technology, and uncertainty for private-sector investment. Consequently, despite being an agrarian country, Pakistan remained far behind in the global race for modern agricultural science.
For the first time, agricultural biotechnology has been directly linked with food security, economic stability, and climate resilience at the national level. The involvement of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) in directing the formulation of the policy reflects the state’s growing realization that agriculture can no longer be viewed merely as a traditional economic sector; it is now closely tied to national security and sustainable development.
The process leading to the policy’s formulation also deserves attention. The Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), the National Seed Development and Regulatory Authority, technical experts, provincial stakeholders, and private-sector representatives were involved in multiple rounds of consultations. Such an inclusive process is important because agriculture in Pakistan is deeply intertwined with both federal and provincial governance structures.
Yet the real question remains: will this policy bring meaningful transformation, or will it become another ambitious document with limited implementation?
The potential benefits of agricultural biotechnology are undeniable. Genetically modified crops can improve yields, reduce water consumption, enhance resistance to pests and diseases, and help crops survive harsh climatic conditions. For countries like Pakistan — particularly provinces such as Sindh and Balochistan, where water shortages and soil salinity are becoming severe — biotechnology could offer practical solutions to an escalating agricultural crisis.
However, global experiences also show that agricultural biotechnology is not purely a scientific issue. It carries serious environmental, economic, and social implications. In countries such as the United States, Brazil, and China, GMO technology has increased agricultural productivity, but it has also triggered concerns regarding corporate monopolies over seeds, the decline of indigenous crop varieties, and long-term environmental risks.
Pakistan faces similar challenges. If the implementation of the policy becomes overly dependent on multinational corporations and imported technologies, local farmers may become increasingly vulnerable. Millions of small farmers across Sindh, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa lack the financial capacity to purchase expensive genetically modified seeds or access advanced technologies. Under such conditions, biotechnology could deepen economic inequality rather than promote inclusive agricultural growth.
This is why the government must ensure that the policy prioritizes national agricultural sovereignty instead of purely commercial interests. Strengthening domestic research institutions, funding agricultural universities, preserving indigenous seed varieties, and supporting public-sector innovation should be central pillars of implementation. Excessive reliance on imported biotechnology could ultimately compromise Pakistan’s food independence.
At the same time, a transparent regulatory framework is essential. Clear laws and mechanisms regarding GMO approvals, environmental assessments, food safety, labeling, and public awareness are urgently needed. Pakistan’s regulatory weaknesses in other sectors provide a cautionary reminder that without effective oversight, unsafe or poorly tested technologies could enter the market and create long-term risks for public health and the environment.
The success of this policy will depend largely on whether its benefits reach ordinary farmers and rural communities rather than remaining confined to policy papers and bureaucratic discussions. Agricultural biotechnology must be integrated with broader reforms in water management, agricultural credit systems, extension services, market access, and farmer education.
The reality is that Pakistan’s agriculture can no longer rely solely on conventional farming methods to confront mounting demographic and environmental pressures. Embracing science and technology is no longer a choice; it is an urgent necessity. Yet this transition must remain sensitive to local realities, ecological balance, and the socioeconomic conditions of small farmers.
The “National Agricultural Biotechnology Policy – 2025” represents both an opportunity and a test for Pakistan. If implemented with transparency, scientific integrity, and farmer-centered priorities, it could help modernize the country’s agricultural sector and strengthen food security. But if it becomes another bureaucratic exercise driven primarily by corporate interests, it risks becoming yet another policy with ambitious promises but limited outcomes.
Therefore, it is necessary that the central government or provincial governments, whether they are institutions related to agriculture, agricultural universities, or agricultural research institutions, should take their work from them. Agriculture plays a major role in the country’s economic development, so this is also the time to get results from the institutions related to agriculture, as much as possible. Especially in Sindh province, the policy for agricultural development, which is 2018 to 2030, has not yielded adequate results. Therefore, the country’s responsible people should take important decisions for the betterment of agriculture.
