Addressing Energy Inefficiency in Pakistan’s Agricultural Sector: A Call for Investment and Reform

Editorial

Pakistan’s ongoing energy crisis, exacerbated by rising fuel prices, highlights the urgent need for investment and enhanced energy efficiency across all sectors, including agriculture. As one of the largest consumers of energy, the agricultural sector plays a significant role in Pakistan’s energy consumption, utilizing electricity for mechanization, irrigation, and transportation, and diesel for powering machinery and tube-wells.

Currently, electricity accounts for nearly 90% of the sector’s energy use, with High-Speed Diesel (HSD) contributing approximately 10%. Mechanization, including tractors, harvesters, and other equipment, is essential for tasks ranging from land preparation to transportation of produce. The irrigation process, powered by tube-wells, also demands a large share of energy resources, with both electricity and diesel being used for efficient water distribution.

The agricultural sector has seen a shift from oil-based to electricity-based energy use over the past three decades, driven by government initiatives that provided subsidized equipment to farmers. This trend reflects an increasing reliance on electricity, aided by rural electrification and the adoption of modern farming machinery. However, the growing energy demand, especially in the form of mechanization and irrigation, contributes to the escalating energy crisis in the country.

Despite advancements, energy inefficiencies persist. For instance, the tractor fleet, comprising around 692,626 operational tractors, only provides 0.9 horsepower (HP) per acre—below the recommended 1.4 HP. Additionally, 60% of tractors operate inefficiently, leading to significant fuel wastage. Optimizing tractor usage could save up to 1.43 billion liters of HSD annually, equivalent to PKR 36.98 billion.

Similarly, irrigation practices remain highly inefficient, particularly with diesel and electric-powered pumps. Inefficient pumps and outdated systems, such as oversized pumps and improper maintenance, lead to excessive energy consumption. Improving irrigation efficiency through techniques like Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for motors could save up to PKR 6.69 billion annually.

The adoption of solar-powered tube-wells presents a promising alternative to reduce reliance on diesel and electricity. However, this must be coupled with careful regulation to prevent over-extraction of groundwater. Strengthening energy efficiency awareness and incentivizing the adoption of efficient technologies could alleviate the financial burden on farmers and improve agricultural productivity, with potential savings reaching PKR 43.67 billion.

Ultimately, fostering energy efficiency in agriculture is not only a means of reducing costs but also essential for achieving long-term sustainability in Pakistan’s energy sector.

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