Agricultural experts have voiced deep concern over the continued decline in Pakistan’s pulse production, warning that the country is spending nearly $980 million each year on imports to meet domestic demand, according to The Express Tribune. Rana Muhammad Tayyib, President of the Punjab Pulses Importers Association and Chairman of the Grain Market, said that prior to 1998, Pakistan ranked among the leading pulse exporters. However, the export ban imposed during the tenure of Pervez Musharraf discouraged farmers, turning pulses into a low-margin crop. He noted that annual consumption stands at approximately 1.62 million tons, of which around 1.07 million tons are imported. This, he argued, highlights the underperformance of the Federal Seed Corporation, which has failed to develop heat-resistant and climate-resilient pulse varieties.

As a result, nearly 80 percent of pulses consumed in the country are sourced from abroad. Tayyib also emphasized the growing impact of climate change on agriculture. In rain-fed areas like Thal, timely rainfall can increase yields by up to 35 percent, while inadequate precipitation causes heavy losses and discourages farmers from planting pulses in future seasons.

These concerns were discussed at a seminar held at the Pulses Research Institute of the Ayub Agricultural Research Institute in observance of World Pulses Day. Experts pointed out that although Pakistan’s yearly requirement is about 1.5 million tons, domestic production covers only a fraction of that need, forcing the country to import nearly one million tons annually, the report stated.

Khalid Hussain, Chief Scientist of the Pulses Section at AARI, highlighted the nutritional and soil-enriching benefits of pulses. He added that farmers remain hesitant to grow them due to low profitability and export restrictions. A PC-1 proposal designed to promote pulse cultivation has been prepared and submitted to authorities but is still awaiting approval, the report concluded.