agriculture problems in pakistan and their solutions

8/14/2019 Agriculture Problems in Pakistan and Their Solutions

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Agriculture Problems in Pakistan and Their Solutions

Economy of every state depends on three sectors i.e. agriculture, industry and commerce.

These three are interrelated with each other as the progress or retrogress of one sector effects

the other two. Pakistan is an agricultural state thus agriculture gains are of much importance

than any other sector. Importance of this sector is manifold as it feeds people, provides raw

material for industry and is a base for foreign trade. Foreign exchange earned from

merchandise exports is 45% of total exports of Pakistan. It contributes 26% of GDP and 52%

of the total populace is getting its livelihood from it. 67.5% people are living in the rural

ares of Pakistan and are directly involved in it. There are two crops in Pakistan ie Rabi &

Kharif.

Crop | Sowing season| Harvesting season

Kharif | AprilJune | OctDec

Rabi | OctDec | AprilMay

Major crops of Pakistan are wheat, rice, maize, cotton and sugar cane. These major

crops contributed 7.7% last year against the set target of 4.5%. Minor crops are canola,

onions, mangoes and pulses which contributed 3.6% as there was no virus attack last year.

Fishery and Forestry contributes 16.6% and 8.8% respectively.

Though the agricultural sector is facing problems in Pakistan yet the major chunk of money

comes from this sector. Following are the major causes of agricultural problems in Pakistan

which disturb the agricultural growth or development in Pakistan.

Firstly,No mechanism has been adopted to eradicate the soil erosion and even after

harvesting nothing is done to improve or restore the soil energy. Therefore, the fertility of

soil is decreasing day by day. The thickness of fertile layer of soil in Pakistan is more than 6

inches but the average yield is lower than other countries where layer of fertile soil is only 4

inches.

Secondly,water wastage is very high in our country. The archaic method of flood irrigation

is still in practice in whole of the country which wastes almost 50 to 60 percent of water. A

new irrigation system called drip irrigation system has been introduced in many parts of the

world. This not only saves water but also gives proper quantity of water according to the

needs of plants.

Thirdly,owing old methods of cultivation and harvesting, Pakistan has low yield per acre thatmeans the average crop in Pakistan is just 1/4th of that of advance states. Where as Nepal,

India and Bangladesh are using modern scientific methods to increase their yield per

acre. For this purpose, these states are using modern machines to improve their yield.

Fourthly,the small farmers are increasing in our country as the lands are dividing generation

by generation. So, there are large number of farmers who own only 4 acres of land. These

small farmers do not get credit facilities to purchase seeds, pesticides, fertilizers etc.

Additionally, a large area of land is owned by feudals and the farmers who work on their

lands, are just tenants. This uncertain situation of occupancy neither creates incentive of work

nor does attract capital investment.Fifthly,water logging and salinity is increasing day by day. No effective measures have been


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countries i-e United States, Argentina and Canada. Globally G.E crops cover less than one

percent of arable land. Farmer around the world have experienced problems with Monsantos

BT cotton. Researchers from Cornell University reported that Chinese GM cotton farmers

are losing money due to secondary pests. After seven years, populations of other insects such

as mi rids, have increased so much that farmers are now having to spray their crops up to 20times per season to control them, according to the study of 481 Chinese farmers in five major

cotton producing provinces.

This cotton seed does not show any resistance against virus attacks and needs 8 months to

give yield thus no other crop can be cultivated on that land. This seed of cotton needs more

water. Therefore, Pakistan has asked Monsanto to provide seeds which consume less water

as Pakistan is moving towards the abyss of water shortage. It is a notorious organization that

took the farmers to courts many times as it did not give ownership right to farmers to

preserve seed. Even the seed of harvested crop cannot be used again for cultivation.

Monopoly of Monsanto is clear when it is selling seed at RS 1700 per kg to Pakistan and RS

700 per kg to India. Glaringly, the Indian ministry of health asking to ban B.T cotton seed

whereas in Kerala & Orrisa it is already banned. Not to ignore the gloomy side of this

organization is that in the Vietnam where it provided Agent Orange dioxin bomb to U.S

that is responsible for sever skin and genetic diseases.

Non-comprehensice Policies Of Pakistan:

18 billion in budget was allocated for agricultural sector of Pakistan but the withdrawal of

subsidy on pesticides and electricity on the conditions of IMF has done serious damage to

this sector. Whereas America and European Union are giving a huge amount of subsidy to

their farmers and that is a greatest hurdle in the implementation of W.T.O rules. Additionally,price policy is very weak. In Punjab sugar cane is sold 200 Rs. per 40 kilograms. It

was purchased and later on stocked by Industrialist in their stores. When Brazil bought

sugarcane from International Market and prices become high, the Pakistan sugar mills owners

projected demand of selling sugar at high prices, thus Pakistan faced sugar crisis. Then

Pakistan had to import Sugar at high prices therefore, the prices of sugar went high in local

markets.

Solutions For Agricultural Problems In Pakistan:

1. Feudalism should be abolished and lands should be allotted to poor farmers. This willenhance the productivity and per acre yield of all the crops in Pakistan. Taxes

should be levied on Agricultural income but not without devising limit of land

holding. Other wise it would directly affect poor farmers.

2. Federal Seed Certification and Federal Seed Registration is approved but it shouldtaken responsible steps in approving seeds as it has already approved 36 new kinds of

seeds. Specially, those seeds should be banned which can create pest problem in near

future. These seeds are of cotton mainly. International seed makers are providing

those seeds which are not successful in our country as these seeds are not tested on

our soil.

3. A new Agricultural policy must be framed in which following steps should befocussed on.


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4. Small farmer must be focused. The major problems of small farmers should besolved first.

5. Consumer friendly policy must be projected.6. Productivity enhancement programme must be constituted to adjust and support

prices.7. Different Agricultural zones should be introduced. As Multan in famous for itsMangoes and citrus fruits so it must be made Mango, citrus zone by which Perishable

products should be exported. This would enhance agro based industry and increase

foreign reserves. Pakistan Agricultural storage & Services Corporation needs to take

steps in this regard.

8. Corporate farming like giving lands to Mitehels, Nestle and Multinational companiesis also a good idea that will also help those who own a large area of fertile land but

cant manage it.

9. Surplus vegetables and fruits must be exported. A Rs 39 million scheme has beenapproved for the current fiscal year for establishment of agro export processing zone

for fruits, vegetables and flowers. This will also help in commercializing agriculture

and farmers will be able to earn more revenue.

10.Latest mechinery should be provided to the farmers to increase the per acre yield.This provision should be on easy installments so that the farmers can avoid the burden

of loans. If possible subsidy should be given by the government of modern

machinery.

11.Modern techniques of irrigation can solve the problems of irrigation in Pakistan. Thisincludes drip irrigation and sprinkle irrigation methods. By using this technique the

farmers can save a huge some of money which he pays for irrigation throughtubewells and tractors.

12.More dams should be constructed on Indus, Jehlum and Chenab rivers. This willenhance the storage capacity of water and reduce the per acre cost of all the crops.

This step will also reduce the salinity chances of the lands as less tubewell water will

be flooded to the lands which cause salinity.

Agriculture in Pakistan (Current Situation)

Pakistan's principal natural resources arearable land and water. About 25% of Pakistan's total

land area is under cultivation and is watered by one of the largest irrigation systems in the

world. Pakistan irrigates three times more acres than Russia. Agriculture accounts for about

21.2% of GDP and employs about 43% of the labor force. In Pakistan, the most agricultural

province is Punjab where wheat and cotton are the most grown. Some people also have

mango orchards but due to some problems like weather, they're not found in a big range.

Rankings

Pakistan is one of the world's largest producers and suppliers of the following according to

the different sources i.e. Food and Agriculture Organization of The United Nations and

FAOSTAT given here with ranking:

Chickpea (2nd) Apricot (6th)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arable_landhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irrigationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_and_Agriculture_Organizationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FAOSTAThttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chickpeahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apricothttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apricothttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chickpeahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FAOSTAThttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_and_Agriculture_Organizationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irrigationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arable_land


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Cotton (4th) Milk (5th) Date Palm (5th) Sugarcane (5th)

Onion (7th) Kinnow,mandarin oranges,clementine (6th) Mango (4th) Wheat (7th) Rice (14th)

Pakistan ranks eighth worldwide in farm output, according to theList of countries by GDP

sector composition.

Crops

The most important crops are wheat, sugarcane,cotton, and rice, which together account formore than 75% of the value of total crop output.

Pakistan's largest food crop is wheat. In 2005, Pakistan produced 21,591,400 metric tons of

wheat, more than all of Africa (20,304,585 metric tons) and nearly as much as all of South

America (24,557,784 metric tons), according to theFAO.The country is expected to harvest

25 to 23 million tons of wheat in 2012.

Pakistan has also cut the use of dangerous pesticides dramatically

Pakistan is a net food exporter, except in occasional years when its harvest is adversely

affected by droughts. Pakistan exports rice, cotton, fish, fruits (especially Oranges and

Mangoes), and vegetables and imports vegetable oil, wheat, pulses and consumer foods. The

country is Asia's largest camel market, second-largest apricot and ghee market and third-

largest cotton, onion and milk market.

The economic importance of agriculture has declined since independence, when its share of

GDP was around 53%. Following the poor harvest of 1993, the government introduced

agriculture assistance policies, including increased support prices for many agricultural

commodities and expanded availability of agricultural credit. From 1993 to 1997, real growthin the agricultural sector averaged 5.7% but has since declined to about 4%. Agricultural

reforms, including increased wheat and oilseed production, play a central role in the

government's economic reform package.

Much of the Pakistan's agriculture output is utilized by the country's growing processed-food

industry. The value of processed retail food sales has grown 12 percent annually during the

Nineties and was estimated at over $1 billion in 2000, although supermarkets accounted for

just over 10% of the outlets

TheFederal Bureau of Statisticsprovisionally valued major cropyields at Rs.504,868 million

in 2005 thus registering over 55% growth since 2000> while minor cropyields were valued
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Date_Palmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugarcanehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinnowhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandarin_orangeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mangohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_sector_compositionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_sector_compositionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugarcanehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_and_Agriculture_Organizationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apricothttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gheehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Bureau_of_Statisticshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Bureau_of_Statisticshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gheehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apricothttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_and_Agriculture_Organizationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugarcanehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_sector_compositionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_sector_compositionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mangohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandarin_orangeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinnowhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugarcanehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Date_Palm


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at Rs.184,707 million in 2005 thus registering over 41% growth since 2000. The exports

related to the agriculture sector in 200910 are Rs 288.18 billion including food grains,

vegetables, fruits, tobacco, fisheries products, spices and livestock

Livestock

According to theEconomic Survey of Pakistan,the livestock sector contributes about half ofthe value added in the agriculture sector, amounting to nearly 11 per cent of Pakistan's GDP,

which is more than the crop sector. The leading daily newspaper Jang reports that the

national herd consists of 24.2 million cattle, 26.3 million buffaloes, 24.9 million sheep, 56.7

million goats and 0.8 million camels. In addition to these there is a vibrant poultry sector in

the country with more than 530 million birds produced annually. These animals produce

29.472 million tons of milk (making Pakistan the 4th largest producer of milk in the world),

1.115 million tons of beef, 0.740 million tons of mutton, 0.416 million tons of poultry meat,

8.528 billion eggs, 40.2 thousand tons of wool, 21.5 thousand tons of hair and 51.2 million

skins and hides.

TheFood and Agriculture Organization reported in June 2006 that in Pakistan, government

initiatives are being undertaken to modernize milk collection and to improve milk and milk

product storage capacity.

The Federal Bureau of Statistics provisionally valued this sector at Rs.758, 470 million in

2005 thus registering over 70% growth since 2000.

Fishery

Fishery and fishing industry plays an important role in the national economy of Pakistan.

With a coastline of about 1046 km, Pakistan has enough fishery resources that remain to be

fully developed. It is also a major source of export earning.

ForestryAbout only 4% of land in Pakistan is covered with forest. The forest of Pakistan are a main

source of food, lumber, paper, fuelwood, latex, medicine as well as used for purposes of

wildlife conservation andecotourism.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jang_Group_of_Newspapershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jang_Group_of_Newspapershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_and_Agriculture_Organizationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Bureau_of_Statisticshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisheryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fishing_industryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lumberhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuelwoodhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latexhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medicinal_planthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildlifehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecotourismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecotourismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildlifehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medicinal_planthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latexhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuelwoodhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lumberhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fishing_industryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisheryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Bureau_of_Statisticshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_and_Agriculture_Organizationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jang_Group_of_Newspapers

agriculture problems in pakistan and their solutions

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