In the current external and domestic environment, the revival of country’s economy has become a difficult task. There appears no option other than developing the agricultural sector.
As a matter of necessity, the uplift may not only produce positive results to this sector alone, but hopefully would, to the economy as a whole. Therefore, it needs more care, attention and priority.
With the little attention agriculture sector had received during 1950-1960, it contributed a lot to the economy as it had achieved the highest growth, then. In 1960, the GDP had increased by 6.1 per cent, but it could not be maintained subsequently, when this sector too, had to bear the brunt of adverse situations.
At the time of independence, the share of this sector in the GDP was as high as 53 per cent, which has now receded to only 24 per cent. Agriculture has also been helping industrial sector by providing the necessary raw materials. The country’s about 70-75 per cent population is directly or indirectly associated it. With so much significance, this sector deserves special attention for bringing about some basic changes. In this regard, top priority should be accorded to those farm commodities which enjoy permanent and regular demand in foreign markets.
Adoption of modern technology: A lot of betterment can be brought about through the adoption of modern technology, as has been done by the US, Canada, Australia and France.
They have successfully tackled the paucity of rainfall, lack of cultivatable land, insufficiency of river water, salinity and soil erosion etc. By following suit, Pakistan too, can earn appreciable foreign exchange.
To quote an example, Australia, New Zealand and Holland, having developed their dairy farming sector are presently earning huge sum in foreign exchange. The latest modern technology has helped a cow in Denmark and Holland to provide nearly 7,000 and 6,000 litre of milk, per year respectively.
In Holland, agricultural land is only two million hectares which is less than the 10th of what Pakistan has, but its agricultural farm exports only, are around 15 billion US dollars. Pakistan’s, both agricultural and non-agricultural items together could not so far, achieve even the $10 billion target.
The time has come to adopt modern farm technology, along with introducing genetic engineering, which would not only reduce production cost but would also maximize output in less time and less land.
It is necessary to invest our resources in a reasonable manner by adopting a commercial attitude, both mentally and physically, and a programme should be chalked out keeping in view the regional needs.
Presently, most of the Middle Eastern countries are importing their commodities like fruits, vegetables, rice, wheat, dry milk, etc in appreciable quantities from the European and the American markets. We can capture these markets by increasing the production and concentrating on their quality.
Our agriculture in various respects and in different areas is confronted with a number of problems. For instance, in Sindh, mango and banana, two valuable commodities are losing their quality on account of decreasing sweetness and special arm. The production is also on the decline. To find out solutions to these problems our agricultural experts should perform their duties pertaining to research.
Need of the hour: The government should come up with a well-thought out agricultural policy, with realistic targets for undertaking necessary developmental steps and efforts to achieve them. Requisite funds may be provided so that they should not go by default on this account.
Specific steps to be taken:
* Tillers of the soil be provided better seeds, fertilizer and other essential inputs on lime and at reasonable prices.
* Intermediaries/middlemen exploiting the poor farmers in respect of disposal of their produce even in the regulated agricultural wholesale market, be disciplined vigorously, if not altogether eliminated.
* Distribution and supply of agricultural loans should be done objectively so that even the poorest among the farmers could get the required credit with ease and comfort.
* Supply of irrigation water be ensured by taking strict vigil on the concerned canal/tubewell.
* A high-powered commission be setup urgently with active and equal participation of the representatives of farmers, agricultural experts, economists, marketing consultants and policy makers to oversee development, and suggest corrective measures for plugging the gaps as and when detected, and which should be implemented urgently.
* Research work on various aspects of modernizing agriculture be speeded up through provision of requisite funds for the purpose, research results instead of keeping intact in booklets, brochures and reports, be passed on to the grassroot workers.
* Holding of periodical farmers conferences be assured and their recommendation be acted upon without unnecessary criticism and redtapism.
There is a vast treasure of practical and viable suggestions of a number of committees, conferences, seminars and workshops held in the past lying unutilized in the cold storage. Had these been implemented, the entire agricultural scenario were pretty bright with the least possible shaded spots.