For years Pakistan's sclerotic wheat sector has been on life support which has cost the taxpayers and consumers billions of rupees.

Wheat is the basic staple food for most Pakistanis and makes up the bulk of our calorie intake. However, production has grown slowly, lagged behind population growth and made Pakistan increasingly dependent on foreign supplies. Between 2 and 3 million tons – around 10% of our needs – were imported in 2023-24 and it is likely that similar, if not larger, imports will be needed this year.

The main reason for this slow growth is lagging farm level productivity – yields have remained stubbornly low at around 30 maunds per acre (3 tons/ha) over the last decade.

The reasons for slow productivity growth are well known. Wheat is mostly produced by small farmers on tiny plots of land, often measuring less than 10 acres. These farmers lack technical knowledge and skills, as well as access to finance.

They have failed to adopt even simple technology interventions such as reduced tillage, planting with certified seeds, use of seed drills, balanced fertiliser and micronutrient applications, and careful use of water. There are also large on-farm and off-farm losses due to poor harvesting and lack of bulk handling and storage in modern silos.

Instead of working to improve yields through land consolidation, better farm management and improved technology, the government has in the past tried to accelerate growth by literally throwing money at it. Billions of scarce public money have been spent on........

© The Express Tribune