Pakistan Grapples with GMO Crops Amid Agriculture Crisis

Pakistan's agriculture sector is under strain due to rising production costs, shrinking profits, and erratic weather. Farmers are grappling with the challenges of climate change, water shortages, and falling exports.

The government has initiated consultations on commercializing genetically modified maize, arguing that improved seed technology can boost food security, reduce import dependence, and make Pakistan's agriculture more competitive.

Pakistan is not new to genetically modified crops. Bt cotton, engineered to resist bollworm attacks, has been cultivated since the late 2000s, while large quantities of genetically modified soybean are imported for poultry feed and edible oil production.

However, concerns remain about contamination risks and the potential impact on exports. Experts warn that maintaining segregation between genetically modified and conventional crops will be extremely difficult due to Pakistan's fragmented farming system.