Stories by Khalid Saeed Wattoo

Setting priorities right for agriculture

Setting priorities right for agriculture

Unless agriculture is restored to the centre of fiscal planning, Pakistan risks undermining its food security as well as its economic future. Updated 08 Jun, 2026 07:52am
Soybean — a crop of promise and constraints

Soybean — a crop of promise and constraints

Locally sourced produce often suffers from inconsistent quality, uncertain supply, and daily price fluctuations, creating significant operational uncertainty for processors. Published 01 Jun, 2026 08:02am
Deepening food insecurity

Deepening food insecurity

Pakistan’s agriculture sector possesses sufficient potential to feed the country’s population with its existing resources; the core problem lies in misplaced priorities. Published 18 May, 2026 07:45am
Water crisis beyond scarcity

Water crisis beyond scarcity

In many peri-urban and irrigated areas of Pakistan, nitrate concentrations exceed well beyond the WHO recommended limits. Updated 11 May, 2026 10:34am
Procurement policy faces reality

Procurement policy faces reality

As prices recover and farmers begin to receive better returns, the government is resorting to measures that run counter to market economy and deregulation principles. Updated 04 May, 2026 07:45am
Wheat harvesting — changing dynamics and fallout

Wheat harvesting — changing dynamics and fallout

The rapid shift towards capital-intensive harvesting is transferring income from small farmers and labourers to machinery service providers, further widening the rich-poor gap. Published 27 Apr, 2026 08:42am

Time for private sector leadership

By acting as value chain integrators, private enterprises can enhance coordination, improve efficiency, and facilitate... Published 20 Apr, 2026 06:31am
Growing crops is getting harder

Growing crops is getting harder

With high fertiliser prices, additional input costs tend to outweigh incremental returns, which in turn leads to a decline in... Published 06 Apr, 2026 08:38am
War in Iran and fertiliser security

War in Iran and fertiliser security

Even if RLNG-based plants were to shut down, existing urea stocks, along with ongoing local production, are likely sufficient for the upcoming Kharif season. Published 30 Mar, 2026 09:35am
Boosting farm competitiveness

Boosting farm competitiveness

In view of the evolving landscape of the agriculture sector, Pakistan is in dire need of the right technologies to enhance its agricultural resilience. Updated 16 Mar, 2026 10:12am
Market gluts and wasting crops

Market gluts and wasting crops

Destroying mature crops in the face of overproduction or a weak market is a waste of the country’s resources and a clear sign of systemic failure. Updated 09 Feb, 2026 08:02am
The wheat paradox

The wheat paradox

Historically, farmers have preferred wheat because most alternative crops require higher upfront investments, provide Published 26 Jan, 2026 06:21am
Boosting Pakistan’s agriculture

Boosting Pakistan’s agriculture

The country must move from its focus on improving yields to growing a wide range of high-value crops with comparative advantages. Updated 19 Jan, 2026 07:50am
Policy pivot for the smallholders

Policy pivot for the smallholders

Tractor distributions are not enough, especially for the often overlooked millions of farmers with land under 2.5 acres. Updated 12 Jan, 2026 09:22am