Severe flooding across Pakistan's Punjab province has inundated farmland, threatening seed stocks, delaying potato planting, and adding pressure to a region central to the national food supply. While verified potato-specific loss data remain limited, early reports indicate indirect risks for the sector, including waterlogged fields, seed damage, and disrupted logistics ahead of the rabi planting season.
Flood impact on agriculture
Official and humanitarian sources estimate that 1.3–1.8 million acres (526,000–728,000 hectares) of farmland were submerged in Punjab through September, destroying standing kharif crops and damaging rural infrastructure. Around 202 hectares of vegetable land have been reported as affected, likely including smallholder potato plots and seed beds.
Flooding has been reported in potato districts such as Kasur, Okara, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, and Chiniot. Farmers in these areas note that fields prepared for rice and potatoes remain under water or silt-covered. FAO's initial flood assessment warns that seed availability for rabi crops is at risk, extending beyond wheat to stored potato seed. Heavy silt and waterlogging may delay field preparation for October and November planting.
Satellite monitoring from GEOGLAM's Crop Monitor also confirmed extensive flooding along the Chenab River and eastern tributaries in August and September, overlapping with potato-growing areas.
Risks for the upcoming potato season
Punjab's main potato planting runs from mid-October to December. If waterlogging persists, planting will be delayed, reducing yield potential or shifting acreage to alternative rabi crops. Seed potato availability may also be disrupted, as farmers typically withdraw seed from cold storage from late October. Transport interruptions, cold store outages, and infrastructure damage are already affecting distribution.
Provincial summaries also indicate that early potato beds and small seed lots may have been impacted, even though large-scale potato cultivation had not yet started when flooding peaked.
Monitoring and outlook
Analysts highlight three areas to monitor: drainage progress and soil conditions in key districts, the reopening of roads and cold store operations for seed movement, and rabi crop readiness updates from FAO and ReliefWeb.
The lack of specific potato data reflects the timing of the floods before the main season, with most attention directed toward rice, cotton, and sugarcane losses. More detailed figures are expected in late October, once rabi planting conditions are assessed.
Wider agricultural context
Punjab is Pakistan's main potato-producing province. Flood disruptions are expected to affect markets, processing chains, and food inflation trends nationwide. With over a million acres of farmland submerged, recovery of soil health and timely rabi planting will determine whether Punjab's potato growers can establish a viable 2025 crop.
Source: Potato News Today
