The Food and Agriculture Organisation’s latest assessment highlights a widening gap between the nutritional needs of Pakistan’s population and the food supplied by the country’s agricultural system. Its recently released policy brief exposes a fundamental weakness in the country’s food and agricultural policies: the failure to ensure that people have access to the variety of nutritious foods recommended under national dietary guidelines.
Vegetables, fruits, roots and tubers, and pulses remain in short supply, while cereals and sugar are available in quantities exceeding dietary requirements. With more than 60 per cent of Pakistanis unable to afford a healthy diet, misplaced agricultural priorities, inefficient distribution networks and high food prices are aggravating the nutritional crisis. The result is a troubling combination of undernutrition, rising obesity and diet-related diseases, all of which are undermining the country’s human development and economic potential.
The scale of the problem is reflected in the figures presented in the FAO assessment. Between 2010 and 2023, the estimated shortfall in vegetable supply increased from 10.9–17.8 million tonnes to 13–21.6 million tonnes. Similarly, the gap in fruit supply widened from 1.9–10.3 million tonnes to 3.9–14.3 million tonnes. These figures indicate that the country has failed to keep food production in line with the changing nutritional requirements of its growing population.
Rapid population growth is placing additional pressure on an already inadequate food supply. At the same time, climate change and increasingly frequent extreme weather events are threatening agricultural production, damaging crops and disrupting supply chains. Floods, droughts, heatwaves and irregular rainfall can reduce yields and affect the availability of essential food items. Unless these challenges are addressed through long-term planning and investment, the gap between nutritional needs and the supply of affordable, healthy food is likely to widen further.
The consequences are already visible in the country’s public health indicators. Around 40 per cent of children under the age of five suffer from stunting, which restricts their physical growth and affects brain development, learning abilities and future productivity. The damage caused by childhood malnutrition can continue throughout a person’s life, limiting educational achievement and employment opportunities. This is not merely a health problem; it is also a serious obstacle to the development of a skilled and productive workforce.
The situation is equally alarming among women. Anaemia affects approximately 42 per cent of women of reproductive age, increasing health risks during pregnancy and childbirth. This is particularly concerning in a country that continues to face a substantial maternal health burden. Poor nutrition among women also affects the health and development of their children, creating a cycle of malnutrition that can pass from one generation to another.
At the other end of the nutritional spectrum, Pakistan is experiencing a rapid increase in obesity and diabetes. According to the figures cited in the assessment, an estimated 31.4 per cent of adults aged between 20 and 79 were living with diabetes in 2024, placing Pakistan among the countries with the highest prevalence rates. Diets containing excessive amounts of sugar, salt and unhealthy fats contribute to obesity and increase the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and other non-communicable illnesses.
The coexistence of widespread undernutrition and rising obesity reveals a serious failure of the food system. A significant proportion of the population cannot afford nutritious food, while unhealthy, calorie-rich alternatives are often cheaper and more readily available. This imbalance places an additional burden on an already stretched healthcare system and reduces productivity through illness, disability and premature deaths. The economic cost extends beyond individual households, affecting national development and the country’s ability to build a healthy workforce.
These outcomes are rooted in structural weaknesses in agricultural planning and food distribution. For decades, Pakistan’s agricultural policies have focused heavily on major crops such as wheat and rice, with comparatively less attention given to ensuring an adequate and affordable supply of fruits, vegetables, pulses and other nutrient-rich foods. While these staple crops are important for food security, their production alone cannot guarantee a balanced diet for the population.
The problem is further aggravated by inadequate storage facilities, weak cold-chain infrastructure, poor transportation networks and significant post-harvest losses. Perishable food items are particularly vulnerable to these weaknesses. A considerable quantity of fruits and vegetables is wasted before reaching consumers, reducing market supplies and pushing up prices. Farmers also face difficulties in accessing reliable markets, finance and modern agricultural facilities, discouraging investment in diversified crop production.
For low-income households, the affordability of nutritious food remains a major concern. When fruits, vegetables, pulses and other healthy food items become expensive, families are often compelled to rely on cheaper foods that provide calories but lack essential nutrients. Under such circumstances, public awareness campaigns urging people to adopt healthier eating habits cannot produce meaningful results unless nutritious food is physically available and financially accessible. People cannot be expected to follow dietary advice when the recommended food is beyond their purchasing power.
The FAO’s recommendation to align agricultural investment and trade priorities with nutritional requirements therefore offers an important starting point for reform. The country’s agricultural performance should not be judged solely by the volume of wheat, rice or sugar produced. It must also be assessed in terms of the availability, diversity, quality and affordability of food needed for a healthy population.
The organisation has also emphasised improvements in food distribution, investment in storage and market infrastructure, and measures to reduce food waste. These interventions can help increase the supply of perishable produce, reduce unnecessary costs and make nutritious food more accessible to consumers. Nutrition education, front-of-package food labelling and taxes on sugary drinks and products containing excessive amounts of sugar, salt and unhealthy fats are also among the measures recommended to encourage healthier consumption patterns.
However, implementing these proposals will require coordinated action by federal and provincial governments. Agricultural subsidies, research priorities and market policies need to be reviewed so that they support the production of a wider range of nutritious crops. Farmers should be encouraged to diversify their production through access to affordable credit, improved seeds, modern technology, reliable markets and better storage facilities. Investment in cold storage, transportation and processing infrastructure is equally important to reduce post-harvest losses and stabilise prices.
The government can also use public procurement programmes for schools, hospitals and other public institutions to create a stable market for nutritious food. Targeted assistance and social protection programmes can help low-income families afford healthier diets. At the same time, food labelling and public awareness initiatives should enable consumers to make informed choices about what they eat.
Pakistan’s food security challenge cannot be addressed simply by producing more calories. The real test is whether the agricultural system can provide a diverse range of safe, nutritious and affordable foods to the entire population. The country’s agricultural policies must move beyond their traditional emphasis on a few major crops and place human nutrition at the centre of planning and investment. Ultimately, agricultural success should be measured not only by yields and production figures but also by the ability of every citizen to afford a balanced and healthy diet.