WE live in a society where 67 per cent of our population earns its livelihood through agriculture. Our farmers toil day and night in their fields but earn nothing. This is why the youth in villages are disappointed and have started migration from villages to cities.

This migration not only enhances the burden of population in cities but also decreases the work force in villages. The apathy of the government is worsening the situation.

On the other side, in neighbouring agrarian countries governments not only provide technical assistance to farmers but also give loan on a low interest for seed, pesticides, herbicides, etc. In many countries, farmers are exempted from electricity charges used for agrarian purposes.

In our country, the prevailing discouraging situation calls for immediate reforms. The government should announce loans on low interest for small landowners, build an agriculture academy in every union council and give free technical assistance to farmers.

This development process can be made faster by allotting land to agriculture graduates. Besides, the government should promote small Industry related to agriculture like poultry and dairy in villages.

As only a healthy and literate labour force performs efficiently, it should be mandatory for every teacher and doctor to start his job from the village. Our policymakers should keep in mind that prosperous villages mean prosperous Pakistan.

A CITIZEN Lahore