Since the 2022 floods, farmers have been enjoying higher yields. This Kharif season might buck the trend

On the back of water shortages during the sowing season and heavy monsoon rains close to harvesting, Pakistan’s agricultural sector is bracing for a poor showing in the ongoing Kharif season. 

While the results will not be clear until well into next year, initial reports from farmers, the government, and foreign agencies indicate an atmosphere of concern in the days ahead. The Kharif season, which begins with sowing in April and ends with harvesting between October and December, is when some of Pakistan’s most important crops are grown. These include rice, maize, cotton, and sugarcane with the latter two often in competition with each other. 

A dip in fortunes for farmers, who have been experiencing high yields ever since the devastating floods of 2022 subsided, might also have lasting impacts on the upcoming Rabi season, in particular the wheat crop. Many farmers are already concerned about the future of the wheat crop ever since the announcement that the support price for wheat was being phased out. Many might turn to higher yield oilseeds instead, or might even choose crops that have smaller cycles and plant cover crops in between, making use of their land twice during the Rabi months which start in late October.