PESHAWAR: The devastating floods of 2022 left a lasting mark on Pakistan, with agricultural sector bearing the brunt of the catastrophe. The Economic Survey of Pakistan 2022-23 paints a grim picture, revealing that these floods affected a staggering 33 million people across 94 districts nationwide.
Tragically, more than 1,700 lives were lost, and approximately 7.6 million people were displaced from their homes. The floods wreaked havoc on critical agricultural infrastructure, grain storage facilities, and livestock.
Among all sectors, agriculture suffered the most significant blow, both in terms of damage and financial losses. An estimated 4.4mn acres of crops were decimated, and close to a million animals perished. The collective damages and losses amounted to a staggering $30.13bn, with agriculture alone accounting for $12.9bn, representing 43% of the total losses.
The crop subsector bore the heaviest burden, contributing 82% to the overall losses, followed by livestock at 7%, and fisheries/aquaculture at 1%. To aid in recovery and reconstruction, a total of $16 billion was needed, with $4 billion, or 25%, designated for the rehabilitation of the agriculture sector.
Reports from the Atlantic Council highlight that the agriculture sector experienced a significant loss of $3.18 billion, with Sindh and Balochistan being the hardest-hit regions, with losses of $1.63 billion and $1.04 billion, respectively. The livestock industry was also severely affected, with losses totaling $291 million, with Balochistan and Sindh accounting for $125 million and $109 million, respectively.
Furthermore, the International Labor Organization (ILO) reports that the floods resulted in job disruptions and losses for approximately 4.3 million workers in Pakistan.
Irshad Khan Abbasi, Head of Innovation and Integration at the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund, expressed deep concern over the plight of farmers. He stated, “The extensive crop damage, especially to vital crops like rice, cotton, sugarcane, and wheat, has left farmers grappling with massive financial losses, depriving them of their primary source of income for the year.”
Abbasi also said that the devastating impact on livestock, which represents a critical asset for Pakistani farmers. The loss of cattle, buffalo, and poultry disrupted the supply of dairy and meat products, causing ripple effects throughout the economy. Over 1.2 million livestock perished during the monsoons, exacerbating the economic challenges faced by affected households and disrupting the supply of essential animal products like milk and meat.
Abbasi underscored the urgency of addressing the financial distress experienced by farmers. He called for comprehensive measures such as training programs to enhance farmers’ knowledge and skills, the promotion of crop insurance schemes to mitigate financial risks, and the encouragement of climate-resilient agricultural practices to bolster resilience against future challenges.
