Pakistan faces mounting crisis as farm holdings shrink and fragment
Pakistan’s latest agricultural census shows a sharp rise in the number of farms and a drop in average farm size, intensifying concerns over productivity and rural livelihoods.
According to the 2024 Agricultural Census, Pakistan’s farm count rose to 11.10 million from 8.26 million in 2010, while average farm size dropped to 5.3 acres from 6.4 acres. The number of fragmented farms jumped to 4.98 million, with each holding now averaging seven non-contiguous plots, up from three a decade earlier. Over half of all farms are now under 2.5 acres and the share below five acres exceeds three-quarters, meaning most holdings are too small for efficient mechanisation.
Farmers like Muhammad Nadeem of Okara report that shrinking plots force them to farm mainly for household consumption and seek labour work elsewhere. Experts warn that the trend threatens productivity, raises rural poverty and complicates the adoption of modern equipment, calling for shared services, cooperative models and credit reforms to mitigate the impact.
Why it matters
Fragmented, tiny farms limit productivity and income, deepening rural poverty and threatening Pakistan’s food security.
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