Pakistan Studies

Problems faced by Agriculture Sector of Pakistan and their Remedies

More than 90% arable land is owned by feudal lords. Land Reforms is the solution.

The economy of Pakistan is basically agricultural. Despite being the largest source of employment, foreign exchange earnings, and having the largest contribution to the country’s GDP, the true potential of this sector is not utilized due to a myriad of agricultural problems.

This post discusses the agricultural problems of Pakistan and their remedies.

What are the agricultural problems of Pakistan?

There are many issues related to the agricultural sector of Pakistan i.e. conventional methods of farming, limited cultivable land, inadequate infrastructure,  Scarcity of HYV Seeds, poverty, Inadequate Agricultural Research, Landholding and Feudalism, feudalism, illiteracy, etc. 

Traditional methods of farming 

In Pakistan still, conventional methods of farming are used which is one of the causes of low production.

Limited cultivable land

With a total cultivable area of almost 80 million hectares, only 24 million hectares (28%) is used for agricultural purposes. The rest of the cultivable land is underutilized.

Inadequate infrastructure

Many agricultural lands in rural areas are not still linked with roads. The existing condition of roads connecting farms with the market is in a pathetic condition. Similarly, there is hardly any storage system and power supply. Consequently, farms are not properly linked with the market, and most of the agricultural produce goes wasted.

Poverty

Pakistan’s farmer is very poor and engaged in Small Scale Subsistence Farming. He cannot afford to buy machinery and mechanize the farms to increase the quality and quantity of agricultural yield.

Scarcity of HYV Seeds

Farmers in Pakistan use Desi seeds. They do not use High Yielding Variety Seeds (HYV Seeds) because of unavailability and high cost.

Landholding and Feudalism

In Pakistan, more than 90% of agriculture is owned by landlords who hardly make two percent of the total population. Most of the farmers practice subsistence farming and is always at odds throughout the life.

Inadequate Agricultural Research

The research on making the best use of the potential of the agricultural sector is of primary importance. But, in Pakistan their hardly any research. If research is undertaken once it would take a long time to do another study.

Illiteracy

Our farmer is illiterate, untrained, and inefficient to boost agricultural productivity.

What are the remedies for agricultural problems?

Mechanization of agriculture

The government should take steps to help farmers use modern methods of production. Sowing, cultivation, and harvesting of crops through the use of agricultural machines increase the product quality and quantity.

Improvement in the irrigation system

The government should upgrade the irrigation system by improving the canal system. New dams and barrages should be made to store water during rain and floods for later use for irrigation. Existing water reservoirs i.e. barrages and dams should be properly maintained to ensure a timely supply of water to fields.

Effective infra-structurure 

A proper system of roads should be built to link farms with the market. An efficient transport system will reduce the cost and travel time thus enabling the farmers to transport their goods to market in time. Similarly, electricity should be provided to rural areas to speed up agricultural activities.

Provision of subsidy and microcredit loans

The subsidy should be provided to the farmers on agricultural machinery to be used in farming. Similarly, Micro Credit Loans: Microcredit loans should be provided on easy terms to the farmers to adopt modern ways of agricultural practices.

Provision of HYV Seeds

Govt. should make sure that farmers use HYV seeds by ensuring their production at a large scale and making it affordable for farmers.

Establish agricultural colleges and universities

The number of agricultural colleges and universities should be increased. The government should allocate special funds for research and put in place a mechanism of check and balance for the productive result of the studies.

Land reforms

Proper land reforms should be undertaken by the Govt. Huge landholdings of landlords should be broken and land should be distributed among peasants and farmers.

Training of the farmers 

Govt. should start special education programs for farmers and give them training about farming. 

Installation of Tube wells

To reduce waterlogging and salinity tube well can be installed to drill underground water. This will, on one hand, provide water for irrigation and on the other hand, will reduce the water table.

Similarly, to prevent seepage of water the canal banks should be repaired and maintained on a periodic basis. Moreover, the proper drainage system should be introduced and adopted to drain standing water on the field which gradually seeps into the ground and cause an increase in the water table.

Efficient transport system

A proper system of roads should be built to link farms with the market. An efficient transport system will reduce the cost and travel time thus enabling the farmers to transport their goods to market in time. Similarly, electricity should be provided to rural areas to speed up agricultural activities.

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