THE policy makers are planning to implement modern technologies to increase agricultural output for attaining autarky in food and to have exportable surplus. But they should first analyse as to why various technologies adopted during the last over 59 years, though they enhanced agricultural production to some extent, failed to attain the desired target. Despite having the largest canal irrigation system in the world, the country had to import wheat, edible oil, cotton, sugar, milk and dairy products, and was now contemplating to import even vegetables from India.

Again, despite adopting modern farm technologies such as plant breeding, genetic engineering, radiation breeding, biotechnology, using Bt cotton varieties and improved input technologies, yields in our country are still 56-80 per cent below achievable potential as demonstrated by FAO experts. The yield /hectare are far below those of various countries in the world.

It is, therefore, necessary to analyse the factors, which did not allow full utilisation of various advanced technologies in the farming industry. Unless the constraints are are identified and removed, the introduction of modern technologies would not be fruitful.

It is also being suggested that ministry of food, agriculture and livestock (Minfal) be replaced by independent ministries such as ministries of agriculture, irrigation, crop production, horticulture, livestock etc. It may be a good suggestion keeping in view the requirements of the 21st century. The ministry of agriculture and irrigation established in India has proved very successful for greater coordination among the agriculture and irrigation departments and the farmers.

Being a member of a scientists group which visited India in 1980 to study the impact of green revolution there, especially in East Punjab, and what benefits Pakistan could derive from their experience, a comprehensive report was submitted by me. The report gave details of cooperation between agriculture and irrigation departments to ensure equitable distributions of water among farmers and ensure its supply at critical stages of crop growth, thus enhancing crop yield significantly. Various suggestions were also made to improve agriculture and irrigation systems.

Again at a seminar organised by international consultants in the nineties, it was recommended that agriculture and irrigations departments be merged for increasing agricultural production. But the bureaucrats of irrigation department and Wapda turned it down. Likewise, Mifal’s bureaucracy too may not like reduction in its power after being divided into different ministries. A remote possibility of dividing Minfal into different ministries existed if the politicians in power wanted more ministries to accommodate their cronies.

In the provinces, ministries of agriculture and livestock are already divided and although contribution of livestock sector to value-added agriculture sector has increased from 30 per cent in 1988 to nearly 50 per cent in 2006, the development of livestock is far below its potential. The county is also importing various livestock products and bye-products annually. For instance, during 2004-05, Rs1267 million was spent on import of milk and milk products, Rs1530 million on import of animal oil and fat, Rs2026 million on hides and skins and Rs2948 million on food for animals.

It is also being proposed that private sector be involved in the production of certified seeds of various crops. Seed is a relatively low cost input, but has the potential of increasing the yield on an average by 20 per cent over traditional seed used by farmers. It plays an important role in increasing agricultural production both in market-oriented and subsistent farming. However, certified seed here is limited to wheat, paddy and cotton as major crops, besides maize, gram, pulses and oilseeds as minor crops. The Federal Seed Certification and Regulation Department looks after the quality during the flow of seed from breeders to farmers. The department performs its functions through 17 seed testing laboratories and field offices established in various ecological zones of the country. The provision of certified seed to growers from public sector has been made responsibility of the Seed Corporations in Punjab and Sindh and the departments of agriculture in Balochistan and NWFP. These organisations produce improved seed. The government has also permitted 550 national seed companies to produce and market certified seeds. Their seed production activities are mostly confined to major crops only, while the multinational seed companies mostly import hybrid corn, sunflower and forage seeds.

The private seed sector does not have any research and developmental programme. They multiply varieties developed by public sector. Moreover the public sector also uses land of farmers for multiplying the improved seed. Again, the agricultural department of Balochistan faces serious problems for the production and marketing of certified seeds as the private sector in the province is involved in marketing of smuggled uncertified seeds, besides smuggling it to adjoining provinces. Hence the seed industry in Balochistan has not taken off effectively.

The provincial government should take steps to develop seed industry through public sector enterprises or by private sector or as a joint venture, besides checking sale of smuggled seeds. The farmers should also be persuaded not to use un-recommended seed.

It is necessary to create strong linkages between provincial agricultural departments and the farmers. The private sector is already legally or illegally involved in seed business. However, in spite of the involvement of both the public and private sectors, production of improved seed is still far below the national requirements as mentioned below.

During 2004-05, the distribution of improved seeds of wheat, paddy, cotton, maize, gram and pulses increased to 218,000 ton, but it was hardly enough to meet 26 per cent of the requirements. The rest was mostly uncertified seed used by farmers .As a result their yields were adversely affected. The government should take cognizance of this situation and take necessary measures to increase production of certified seeds to meet the national requirements.

The government should also ensure that seed is provided timely at the doorsteps of farmers as has been successfully done in India. Special privileges be provided to small, subsistent and below subsistent level farmers who cultivate nearly 50 per cent of the total cultivated area in the country.

It was also suggested to give special attention to horticulture sector for increasing fruit export. Although fruit crops occupy nearly 3.6 per cent of the total cropped area, the export earning from fruits during the first nine months of the year 2005-06 was $90 million with an increase of 20.6 per cent during the same period last year.

Major fruits exported are citrus, mango and dates which contribute 64 per cent of the total fruit production. Other fruits are apple, guava, apricot, peach, plums, pomegranate etc. Specific attention is needed for control of disease and pest, improving processing, packing and transport system, maintenance of quality control according to international standards to enable fruit export to meet the challenges in international markets.