Business Desk 
Dec 27, 2024
In times marked by the persistence of economic hardships in Pakistan, leveraging agri-tech could save the country $8-10 billion annually.
A report released by the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) detailed that these savings would come from the adoption of technological solutions like precision farming, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain.
Having the aforementioned solutions in place is anticipated to raise crop yields by 30% and slash post-harvest losses by 75%, leading up to the generation of an additional $8-10bn every year.
The report by P@SHA stressed the need to implement agricultural technology (Agri-Tech) in Pakistan.
It categorically outlines that such measures can substantially improve farmers’ access to the market, and dethrone farming woes brought up by old-school practices.
Making use of innovations like cold chains, smart storage systems, solar energy harvesting, and co-storage solutions are reported to alleviate costs and bring down market prices.
The software association's report was also centred on significant investments in digital platforms, rural internet connectivity, and equipping farmers with digital tools and climate-friendly practices.
Other factors which could essentially drive the sector's growth include subsidies for modern farming tools, including IoT devices, low-interest loans, and tax exemptions for agri-tech startups.
