Pakistan’s ever-rising food import bill is sparking fresh debates about making smarter use of homegrown resources, especially in agriculture. Many business leaders now say the key to saving valuable foreign exchange — and creating more jobs in rural areas — lies in better crop planning and adding value right here at home.
Garlic, a kitchen staple for most Pakistani households, has taken center stage in these discussions. It shows how local production could replace imports and even set the country up for new export opportunities. Shahid Imran, convener at the FPCCI Regional Committee on Food, revealed that Pakistan spent about $52 million — nearly Rs14.5 billion — on importing garlic from China in 2024 alone. He claims this entire amount could be saved if garlic farming is ramped up commercially in the Sahiwal division, an area already hailed for its perfect soil and climate conditions and well-known for potato crops.
But there’s a catch: farmers need support to switch over to garlic. The main hurdle is the steep cost of quality seed. Imran thinks the best way forward is for the government to pick a few union councils in Sahiwal and offer interest-free loans of Rs100,000 to Rs200,000 per acre for certified seed and other essential farm inputs. Without such help, small farmers are likely to stick with what they know, missing out on profitable new crops.
Imran also notes China’s dominance in the garlic market. The country produces over 20 million tonnes a year with yields about 2.5 times greater than Pakistan’s average. He suggests Pakistan can look to China for inspiration by training agriculture graduates specifically in garlic farming, then sending them to Sahiwal’s selected areas for a few years to teach farmers modern methods, seed selection, and post-harvest care.
Raw garlic production is just the start. Imran believes the real money lies in value-added products. Setting up small processing units for garlic powder, paste, flakes, and oil in target areas could be a game-changer. These units need modest investment and can run on solar energy, making them practical in semi-rural spots. Value-added garlic not only lasts longer but also sells better abroad than fresh garlic. Official stats show agriculture employs roughly a third of Pakistan’s workforce, but only adds about 24% to the GDP because productivity and value addition are low. Meanwhile, food imports are climbing fast, hitting $7.7 billion in FY25. The State
