Agriculture Series Explainer

Is Pakistan running out of water? : Explained | Ep 3 | Junaid Iqbal

Pakistan is the 5th most water-stressed country in the world — and agriculture is at the heart of the problem. We waste nearly 60% of our irrigation water through outdated flood systems, while 30% of arable land is saline or waterlogged. At the same time, we continue to grow thirsty crops like rice and sugarcane in regions that simply can’t afford it. In this episode of Pakistan & Counting, Junaid Iqbal breaks down why smarter water use, better crop choices, and technology-driven solutions are the only way forward if Pakistan wants to secure its food future. 🎯 This episode dives into: Why Pakistan’s crop choices are making the water crisis worse The high cost of water misuse and poor planning How climate change is set to cut our yields by 15-20% by 2050 Why innovation, youth participation, and farmer inclusion are key to fixing the system What Pakistan can learn from global examples of water-smart agriculture 🔔 Subscribe and turn on notifications to stay updated on Pakistan’s economic future. Follow Pakistan & Counting on: 🔹 X: https://x.com/PakAndCounting 🔹 FB: https://www.facebook.com/PakistanAndCounting 🔹 IG: https://www.instagram.com/pakistanandcounting/ 🔹 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pakistanandcounting?_t=8rbVjlJIYOw&_r=1 🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pakistan-and-counting/ #JunaidIqbal #PakistanAndCounting #WaterCrisis #SmarterFarming #FoodSecurity

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Is Pakistan running out of water? : Explained | Ep 3 | Junaid Iqbal

See the full Agriculture Series Explainer series

Time Stamps:

Intro: Welcome to Pakistan's Water Crisis
Pakistan's Water Demand vs. Supply
93% of Water Used in Agriculture: Why It Matters
How Water Reaches Farms: Rivers, Dams, and Tube Wells
Key Problem 1: Inadequate Water Storage Capacity
Key Problem 2: Seasonal Water Flow Imbalance
Key Problem 3: Natural Water Losses to the Arabian Sea
Key Problem 4: Poor Canal Lining & Water Seepage
Key Problem 5: Flood Irrigation and Water Wastage at Farm Level
Key Problem 6: Water Pricing (Abyana System) and Crop Planning Distortions
The True Cost of Water vs. What Farmers Pay
Case Study: How Much Water Goes Into Rice Production
Key Problem 7: Groundwater Depletion and Aquifer Stress
Climate Change, Glacial Melt, and Future Water Availability