AGRICULTURE in Balochistan has a huge economic potential. Many areas in the province are suitable for the growth of rewarding crops such as pistachios, almonds, walnuts and apricots, etc.

However, owing to multiple factors the true potential of agriculture is not being realised. First, water scarcity is damaging agriculture in the province. Almost 81 per cent of the farmers complain about the water scarcity in the province.

Many areas in the province are in the grip of droughts, while the use of tube wells, largely in northern Balochistan, is also not sustainable as it alarmingly decreases water table levels in the soil.

Second, the non-availability of good quality seeds is a major problem. Besides, rural farmers, largely because of lack of awareness, use old and uncertified seeds for growing crops leading to approximately 40pc germination failure. This inflicts massive losses on both individual farmers and provincial economy.

Third, it is difficult for the farmers of Balochistan to have a smooth and easy access to agriculture lending. According to the Soil Fertility Atlas report jointly released by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the US Department of Agriculture, loans are available to only 61pc of farmers.

Thus farmers are unable to invest in agriculture inputs such as seeds, fertilisers and use of tractors.

Hence, large tracts of land in the province remain uncultivated. Last but not least, the provincial agriculture department is unable to extend agricultural knowledge and techniques to the farmers as its extension wing is nearly non-existent.

Its research wing has rarely produced any meaningful results on any major crops.

Saad Khosa
Quetta

Published in Dawn, February 7th, 2019