Pakistan’s agriculture sector recorded a growth rate of 2.9 percent in the fiscal year 2025–26, even as cultivable land shrank by 3.6 percent, the National Economic Survey ahead of the 2026 budget. The survey, scheduled for formal presentation on June 4, highlights an overall improvement in agricultural productivity, with major crop output rising by 0.6 percent during the year under review.
Wheat remained a significant contributor to the sector’s growth, with its cultivated area expanding by 4.4 percent and production increasing by 4.3 percent to reach 29.6 million tonnes. Rice production also showed positive momentum, growing by 2.8 percent, while sugarcane output surged by 6.2 percent to 89.4 million tonnes.
However, some major crops faced setbacks. Maize production fell by 2.7 percent despite stable sowing areas, and cotton experienced a slight decline in production by 0.5 percent, alongside a 1.5 percent reduction in its cultivated area.
In contrast, other crops demonstrated strong growth, collectively increasing by 2.4 percent. Gram production saw a remarkable surge of 50.4 percent, marking it as one of the top performers. Potato output rose by 27.6 percent, mango production increased by 11.6 percent, and banana yields climbed by 30.8 percent. Additionally, turmeric and chili production grew by 25.1 percent and 9.2 percent respectively, reflecting broad-based gains in horticulture and minor crops.
Despite these advances, certain agricultural sub-sectors such as cotton ginning and miscellaneous activities showed minimal growth of just 0.1 percent, underscoring persistent structural challenges within parts of the sector.
The livestock segment also saw notable changes, with the donkey population increasing by 113,000 during the fiscal year, bringing the total to 6.16 million animals.
These preliminary findings offer an early insight into Pakistan’s agricultural performance before the official release of the Economic Survey 2025–26. While the sector demonstrated resilience amid decreasing farmland, the uneven crop performances highlight ongoing issues related to productivity, input costs, and climate variability.
