EDITORIAL: The disclosure before the Senate Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research that organic matter content in Pakistan’s soils has fallen to below 0.5 percent, compared with the roughly 2 percent level considered necessary for healthy agricultural soils, should alarm policymakers because it points to a steady weakening of the natural foundations that once underpinned the country’s agricultural strength. Such a decline cannot be dismissed as a technical detail confined to agronomy; it reflects a deeper deterioration in the ecological conditions that sustain farm productivity and long-term food security. For decades, Pakistan enjoyed a natural comparative advantage in agriculture. Fertile alluvial plains, an extensive irrigation network and a favourable climate enabled the country to sustain large-scale crop production and support export sectors such as cotton and rice. Yet that advantage has steadily eroded. The country has already shifted from being a water abundant to a water scarce land, a transformation that now shapes almost every debate about agricultural sustainability. The new evidence about soil degradation suggests that another vital pillar of agricultural productivity is also under strain. Organic matter is essential to soil health. It improves soil structure, enhances moisture retention, supports microbial activity and helps crops absorb nutrients efficiently. When organic content falls to critically low levels, soils lose resilience. Farmers must rely increasingly on chemical fertilisers to sustain yields, yet even heavier inputs produce smaller improvements over time. In practical terms, the land begins to deliver diminishing returns. Pakistan’s current soil condition reflects decades of agricultural practices that have prioritised short-term output over long-term sustainability. Continuous cropping, removal of crop residues and heavy dependence on synthetic fertilisers have gradually depleted organic carbon levels in the soil. These practices have boosted production at times, yet they have also weakened the biological systems that support sustainable productivity. The consequences are already visible in many farming regions. Degraded soils hold less water, making crops more vulnerable to drought and heat stress. Nutrient efficiency declines, raising input costs for farmers. Over time, the productivity of the land itself begins to stagnate. In a country where agriculture supports rural livelihoods and contributes significantly to export earnings such a trend carries serious economic implications. Officials briefing the parliamentary panel noted that a soil fertility improvement plan based on bio-fertilisers and compost has been proposed for the upcoming Public Sector Development Programme. The proposal aims to mobilise phosphorus in soil, reduce reliance on chemical fertilisers and improve crop yields through biological inputs. These ideas move in the right direction. Restoring organic matter to degraded soils requires a sustained effort involving composting, improved residue management and wider adoption of soil-enhancing farming practices. The committee discussion also highlighted a series of other agricultural initiatives, including plans for a genome reference facility for crops and livestock, a potato seed supply centre supported by Korean cooperation, expansion of olive cultivation and projects designed to support livestock and horticulture. Each initiative has merit within its own domain. Yet none of these technological or commercial programmes can substitute for restoring the basic ecological health of agricultural land. Agricultural productivity ultimately depends on two fundamental resources: water and soil. Pakistan has already confronted the reality that water scarcity is reshaping its agricultural landscape. The decline in soil organic matter now suggests that the second foundation is weakening as well. Without corrective action, the country risks entering a cycle in which more fertiliser and greater financial inputs are required simply to maintain existing yields. This development carries implications beyond farming communities. Food security, rural incomes and export competitiveness all depend on the long-term productivity of the land. If soil health continues to deteriorate, Pakistan will face increasing pressure on its food supply while also weakening an important source of economic resilience. The warning presented before the Senate committee should therefore serve as more than a routine policy update. It underscores a broader failure to protect the ecological assets that once made Pakistan’s agriculture so productive. Rebuilding soil health must become a central priority of agricultural policy, supported by research, farmer training and incentives that encourage sustainable practices. Pakistan’s agricultural potential remains considerable, yet natural advantages cannot sustain themselves indefinitely. Soil fertility must be restored and protected if the country hopes to preserve the productivity of its land and secure the future of its agricultural economy. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026