KARACHI: Pakistan’s agriculture sector posted reasonable development of two.9% throughout fiscal yr 2025-26, whereas authorities has set a development goal of three.8% FY-27.
The livestock sector, a key driver of agricultural output, recorded an accelerated enlargement of three.8%, up from 2.9% the earlier yr, in line with official data launched by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
The agriculture sector’s efficiency displays a gradual restoration regardless of combined outcomes amongst main crops, weather-related constraints and a excessive base impact from the earlier yr.
In distinction, livestock maintained sturdy momentum, pushed by commercialization, improved illness administration and rising shopper demand.
Livestock emerged as a standout performer, with development accelerating to three.8% in FY2025-26. Inhabitants estimates confirmed cattle numbers rising 3.8% to 61.96 million, buffaloes up 3% to 49.1 million and goats growing 2.7% to 91.8 million.
Sheep, camels, horses, mules and donkeys additionally recorded constructive however slower development.
In keeping with the Ministry of Nationwide Meals Safety and Analysis, livestock stays essentially the most important sub-sector of agriculture, contributing 14.63% to Pakistan’s gross home product and 60.84% to agriculture worth added.
The sector’s web international trade earnings accounted for roughly 1.6% of the nation’s whole exports as of FY25.
The livestock sector gives uncooked materials for native industries, generates markets, creates capital and serves as a social security web for rural households, an official stated.
It ensures earnings in occasions of want and affords safety towards crop failures, significantly in rainfed, or barani, areas.
Forestry and fishing additionally contributed positively, posting development of two% and 1.7%, respectively.
Agriculture stays the most important sector of Pakistan’s financial system. In keeping with the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, it contributes about 24% of GDP, accounts for half of the employed labor drive and is the most important supply of international trade earnings. A majority of the inhabitants is dependent upon the sector instantly or not directly.
Vital crops together with cotton, rice, sugarcane, maize and wheat collectively posted a marginal improve of 0.6% over the earlier yr.
Wheat, the nation’s staple crop, confirmed encouraging indicators, with space increasing to 9.478 million hectares from 9.074 million hectares, and manufacturing rising 4.3% to 29.6 million tons, up from 28.4 million tons. Sugarcane manufacturing elevated by 6.2% to 89.4 million tons.
Nonetheless, not all crops fared properly. Rice space contracted by 3.6%, though manufacturing managed a slight 2.8% improve. Maize manufacturing dipped 2.7%, whereas cotton continued its wrestle, with output falling 0.5% and space shrinking 1.5%.
Regardless of a difficult excessive base of 19.7% development final yr, the “different crops” sub-sector expanded by 2.4%, pushed by sturdy performances in gram (50.4%), potato (27.6%), mangoes (11.6%), banana (30.8%), turmeric (25.1%) and chilies (9.2%). Officers attributed the positive factors to raised irrigation administration, supportive market situations and improved output of pulse crops.
In distinction, the cotton ginning and miscellaneous phase recorded solely 0.1% development, reflecting subdued cotton output through the yr.
Whereas the agriculture sector’s general efficiency stays under potential, analysts stated the regular development in livestock and high-value crops affords a cushion towards volatility in staple crop output.
