Pakistan is a semi-industrialist, Agro-based economy with a contribution of 22.7% towards Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employing 37.4% of the labor force in the country. Agricultural development will directly impact the economy, quality of life and food security of the country. Salient features have been discussed in an another article.
Pakistan is still facing issues of demand
& supply gap, malnutrition of its populous with effects in children of up
to 05 years age such as stunted, underweight or overweight. A quarter of
population is living below the national poverty line & 39% living below
multidimensional poverty index (MPI).
Challenges
Lack of Farmer Awareness
Farming community in Pakistan in general is
lagging behind in adoption of modern farming techniques, use of quality inputs
(seeds, fertilizers), conservative tillage and post harvest processing/ storage
of agriculture produce. Trends towards cultivation of indigenous oilseed crops
(canola, palm, olive), modern tillage operations and vertical integration are on
slow pace. Wheat being the staple food and cultivated over 9million hectares is
the staple food however, per acres yields are low and same has to be imported
each year.
Post-Harvest Processing
The concept of storage/ processing of farm
produce is not popular in the farming community. Storage of the crop (wheat/rice/maize)
on the harvest season in the owned/ rented warehouses or value-addition through
processing of fruits/ vegetables (potato, cabbage, lettuce, oranges etc.) can
add significantly to the profit margins and improve the rural economy.
Main factors being lack of initial investments,
handholding from local agricultural bodies and conservative mindset of the
farming community. Federal & provincial agriculture departments, NGOs, financial
institutions and progressive farmers are taking up the role of motivation of
small & medium sized farmers towards this end which will boost the rural economy
and also reduce the role of middle man.
Farm Mechanization
Non-availability of quality tractors, farm
machinery/ tillage implements at affordable prices and at appropriate times can
adversely affect the per acre yields of all crops. Timely field operations can
greatly improve the production and reduce input costs at all levels. Rates for rent
of machinery have greatly risen amid the current unprecedented economic
scenario.
Availability of Quality Inputs at Reasonable Prices
a) Availability of Certified Seeds
Certified seeds are preferred globally in line
with objective to use quality viable seed to save the losses and get maximum
yield. Availability of certified seed and its use has been an issue which is gradually
improving still the total available certified seed of different crops (cotton, wheat,
rice, maize, oilseed, pulses, fodder, forage and medicinal plants) has only been
43% of total requirements according to Economic Survey of Pakistan 2021-22.
b) Availability of Fertilizers
Demand & supply gap of key fertilizers
such as urea, DAP, nitrophos and potash is key challenge in obtaining potential
yields. In the year 2021-22, the availability of these fertilizers was reduced
thereby increasing the prices by 30-50% in different areas of Pakistan. The
country has indigenous capacity of meeting 86 percent of the demands and rest
is imported.
Irrigation System and Storage of Fresh Water
Indus river along with its Tributaries
irrigates 48 million hectares of land through IBIS (Indus Basin Irrigation
System) with average annual withdrawal of 101 MAF & another 50 MAF is pumped
through approximately 1.2 tube-wells. However, climate change, rising population,
sedimentation of water reservoirs and decrease in river waters is creating demand
& supply gap. Construction of large dams is key requirement is the need of
hour which can conserve the water during the period of rainfalls and inflows of
rivers.
Flood irrigation is the still most common
irrigation practice and latest techniques can be used to conserve the water. In
the recent monsoon season of 2022, population of 33 million has been affected
through flooding situation created due to above normal rainfalls and lack of
resources to conserve the precious fresh water which is being wasted and also
destroyed the standing crops & livestock and caused over 1500 causalities.
In comparison, there was decline of approximately 11 percent in the monsoon and
post monsoon season in 2021.
Meat Processing and Packaging
Livestock, poultry & fisheries sector are
in need of development of cottage industry of meat processing, packaging and
freezing. Lack of value addition is main hindrance in earning handsome revenues.
Seafood and fisheries are already export avenues however, export bill can be
increased through meat processing and packaging.
Opportunities & Future Prospects
Agriculture in Pakistan can boost through averting these channels strategically & gradually, thereby, bridging the gap between food demand &
supply, development of Agro-based industries, exports, creating employment,
reducing poverty and increasing the quality of life.
