How Smog Threatens Punjab’s Food Security

Introduction

During winters, cities in Punjab (Pakistan) experience exceptionally dangerous smog pollution. Lahore’s air quality index (AQI) has reached 1900 during smog episodes, with PM2.5 at 601 μg/m³ – over 40× the WHO safe limit. Such toxic air not only chokes lungs but ripples through Punjab’s agriculture and nutrition. This article examines how persistent air pollution from crop burning, vehicles, and industry impacts Punjab’s food system, crop production, nutrient content, and public health.

Sources of Punjab’s Smog

Crop-residue burning after the rice harvest in Lahore and surrounding cities is a major contributor to winter smog. According to the International Growth Centre, “the agricultural sector in Pakistan contributes significantly to air pollution in the Punjab region,” with rice and wheat farmers burning stubble as a cheap clearing method. Indeed, Pakistan’s national air quality is rated among the worst globally: “Pakistan has the second worst air quality in the world, with the agricultural sector estimated to be responsible for 20% of air pollutant emissions in the Punjab province.” This estimate comes from a 2026 IGC policy brief, which also notes that burning was officially banned in 2019 but remains common. In 2020, Punjab’s Agriculture Department began subsidizing “Happy Seeder” seeders and shredders to reduce burning

Vehicle emissions, industrial coal use, and urban dust further worsen air quality. A 2024 Human Rights Watch report confirms these are driving factors, citing Lahore as one of the most polluted cities. In conclusion, unsustainable agricultural practices, along with industrial pollution in urban areas, contribute to the creation of smog that covers Punjab during winters.

Impact on Agriculture and Food System

Elevated air pollution by particulate matter and ozone adversely affects crop production. Even though there is very little direct research done on Punjab, global research highlights the impact. For instance, “About 92 million metric tons of agricultural waste are burnt each year in India, causing excessive emissions of particulate matter and air pollution, causing health problems.” These particulates can also get deposited on the surface of the leaves, interfering to a minor extent with the photosynthesis process. Ozone has been known to damage vegetation and decrease yields of staple crops such as wheat and maize by several percent. In Punjab’s intensively farmed fields, lower yields from such pollution would threaten overall food production and farm incomes.

Food Contamination is another problem associated with particulates. These can contain metals or other compounds emanating from industrial sources and getting deposited on agricultural products. The possible effects of contamination of vegetables or grains by toxic substances from the air or dust would adversely impact nutrition and food safety. (There is limited information available on this aspect; it needs to be researched locally.) At least, the presence of heavy smog would imply poor quality of farm air and soil.

Nutrition Effects

Air pollution could negatively impact nutrition indirectly as well. For instance, respiratory problems like asthma in children caused by smog would interfere with appetite or assimilation of nutrients. Also, in case school or work attendance is hindered due to smog, it could have implications for food availability and purchase of nutritious foods. However, claims like “smog strips crops of vitamins” require more evidence. Any nutrient loss would likely be small compared to other factors. The WHO notes that malnutrition remains driven mainly by diet, sanitation, and healthcare factors.

Public Health Impacts

The health cost of Punjab's smog is evident. According to an HRW report, Lahore had a PM2.5 of 601 μg/m³, 40× its peak smog, which is 40 times the WHO annual guideline. In the whole country, based on WHO statistics, over 140,000 people lost their lives in Pakistan in 2019 due to outdoor air pollution. Generally, air pollution reduces the country's life expectancy by 3.9 years–and pollution in Lahore by 7 years specifically. This is according to data from the Air Quality Life Index and WHO estimates. The numbers show how detrimental smog can be with regard to public health (heart diseases, strokes, lung infections, etc.). For instance, exposure to PM2.5 leads to a higher risk of pneumonia and asthma among children and increased cardiovascular deaths among adults. Importantly, vulnerable groups such as children, senior citizens, outdoor workers, and farmers are the most affected populations in this case. Rural areas where the population does not have air filtration and access to healthcare are exposed to the same polluted air. Thus, the problem becomes linked to the issue of nutrition: unhealthy and undernourished people become more vulnerable to smog.

Addressing the Issue

As far as agriculture is concerned, Punjab has started giving subsidies on machinery such as Happy Seeders for tilling the stubble in the soil. Moreover, enforcing the no-burning policy of 2019 is important. Subsidizing green agri-tech significantly reduces smog by cutting field burns.

As far as the policies are concerned, it is vital to ensure that the air quality standards are consistent with the food/nutritional standards in Punjab and with those of the federal government as well. It may include, for example, crop diversification or conversion of residues into energy resources, which will add value to the waste while increasing the incomes of farmers and reducing the number of burns. Punjab Environment Protection Department’s monitoring (e.g., public AQI dashboard) helps raise awareness and accountability.

Conclusion

The smog problem in Punjab is not limited to the smokescreen covering its urban areas. Using various sources (the WHO report, the HRW report, scholarly articles, and government statistics), one sees how consistent air pollution could lead to a decrease in agricultural production, contamination with toxic substances, and an increase in malnutrition in the area. For example, Punjab’s recent constitutional move to guarantee a right to clean air is positive news – but must translate into action (strict emissions standards, expansion of green energy, urban greening, etc.) if it is to protect both our air and our food.