THE farmers in Balochistan are in big trouble owing to the continuous turmoil in the form of blockade of highways owing to demonstrations, ‘snap checkpoints’ set up by militants, and tribal disputes, causing disruption in transport and supply chain. This leads to spoilage of fruits and vegetables before reaching markets, resulting in huge financial losses to the farmers.

Furthermore, in periphery provinces, like Balochistan, where due to lack of literacy and professional skills, a huge number of folks rely on cultivation and farming to support families and sustain their livelihood, consistently deteriorating conditions have resulted in anxiety among the farmers, pushing this vulnerable segment of society to seek illegitimate ways in search of livelihood.

As explored by the theory developed by Robert K. Merton, social strain thrives between goals and means as a result of hurdles in the way of achieving socially accepted goals through legitimate means. This social strain on individuals compels them to seek felonious acts of achieving socially accepted goals through unlawful ways and means.

An abrupt increase in the poppy (opium) cultivation in various areas of Balochistan indicates how legal farming is destroyed by upheaval in the region, forcing the farmers to invest in illegal crops that will give a spike to the already worrisome drug culture in the country.

The way forward is to ensure the flow of agricultural products even during political turbulence. Besides, monitoring the agri-cultural supply chain by paramilitary forces at the district level, and establishing fruit markets at the union council level are the steps that the government should take.

Iftikhar Ahmad
Quetta

Published in Dawn, May 14th, 2025