The 2022 floods wreaked unprecedented havoc in Pakistan, with agriculture suffering the worst, as standing crops over millions of acres were buried under water, causing huge losses to the farmers, reports WealthPK. According to the Economic Survey of Pakistan 2022-23, 33 million people were affected in 94 districts across Pakistan, while over 1,700 people were killed and around 7.6 million people were displaced. Critical agricultural infrastructure, grain storage, and livestock were severely damaged. Agriculture was the hardest hit sector both in terms of damages and losses. About 4.4 million acres of crops were damaged, and around 1 million animals lost. The total damages and losses amounted to $30.13 billion, of which the agriculture loss was to the tune of $12.9 billion (43% of total damages and losses).

The crop subsector contributed 82% of the total damage and losses, livestock 7%, and fisheries/aquaculture 1%. Of the total $16 billion needed for recovery and reconstruction, $4 billion (25%) was required for the agriculture sector. As per the Atlantic Council, the agriculture sector suffered a total loss of $3.18 billion, with $1.63 billion coming from Sindh and $1.04 billion from Balochistan. The livestock industry faced a loss of $291 million, with $125 million in Balochistan and $109 million in Sindh. The International Labour Organization (ILO) says disruptions and job losses due to floods affected about 4.3 million workers in Pakistan.

“The inundation of vast agricultural lands resulted in extensive crop damage. Crucial crops like rice, cotton, sugarcane, and wheat bore the brunt of the catastrophe. The financial losses incurred by farmers due to crop destruction were staggering, depriving them of their primary source of income for the year,” Irshad Khan Abbasi, Head of Innovation and Integration, Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund, said while talking to WealthPK. He said, “In addition to crop damage, the floods inflicted a heavy toll on livestock, which serves as a crucial asset to the Pakistani farmers. Cattle, buffalo, and poultry were among the casualties. This not only reduced the farmers’ income but also disrupted the supply of dairy and meat products, sending shockwaves throughout the economy.

More than 1.2 million livestock were killed during the monsoons, severely impacting the livelihoods of affected households and the supply of animal products, including milk and meat. “The financial distress experienced by the Pakistani farmers in the aftermath of 2022 floods is a grim reality. With their crops decimated and livestock lost, many farmers now find themselves in a precarious situation. They are burdened with loans they had taken to invest in their farming activities, and now they face the daunting challenge of repaying these debts while attempting to rebuild their lives and livelihoods,” he said.

“Addressing the financial distress of Pakistan’s flood-affected farmers is not only a matter of urgency but also a long-term imperative. It is our collective responsibility to not only provide immediate relief but also work diligently towards establishing a more resilient and sustainable agricultural sector capable of withstanding future challenges,” he said.
 “Training programs should be initiated to enhance the farmers’ knowledge and skills, equipping them to better cope with the future challenges. Promotion of crop insurance schemes can assist the farmers in mitigating financial risks in the face of natural disasters. Encouraging the adoption of climate-resilient agricultural practices can reduce their vulnerability to extreme weather events,” he added.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)