The Fall of Agricultural System in Pakistan: Prospects and Challenges
HARIS HABIB JAMWAL
Abstract
Economic strength and financial stability are essential elements to survive in this modern world order. The imports and exports of any state determine its current account balance. The export mostly depends upon the production system of that state rather it is an industrial, technological or agricultural state. Pakistan is one of the countries which are rich in land and fertility and its basic economic structure is based on agriculture, since independence. However, instead of conducting and implementing research for development of the agricultural system, it appears that it is falling rapidly. The following study intends to highlight the agricultural potentials and downfalls of the system in Pakistan.
Introduction
Pakistan is situated in the region of the historic Indus Valley Civilization which was associated with cattle farming, pottery and agriculture. The agriculture is in the roots of the Pakistani population where the land and cattle are still considered to be a symbol of status. However, it is seen in the recent past that the trend towards agriculture is dropping as a result growth rate and average output yield has reduced. There are various factors which have influenced the agriculture of Pakistan including inflation and political influence, inorganic farming, conversion of agricultural lands into commercial lands, urbanization, export limitations, climatic conditions, and lack of research and technology. Pakistan has a great potential to thrive in agricultural domain with minimum but focused efforts. This article highlights prospects and challenges faced by Pakistan in agricultural arena.
Challenges Faced by Agriculture Sector of Pakistan
Inflation and Political Influence
Inflation is one of the key factor which affecting the agriculture of Pakistan. The traditional ways of livestock and cultivation are not enough to compete in the market with inorganic production. The inorganic or synthetic seeds and fertilizers are being introduced in the market and being supported by the government. These seed and fertilizer companies are using technology and demanding a high price of their products. Comparing with the traditional ways, the farmers used to preserve their organic seeds and they had a stock of cattle for collecting the natural fertilizer. On the other hand the synthetic seed and fertilizer increase the yield and the size of the agricultural product but it consumes the essence of the product. Pakistan was famous for its rice, wheat, cotton, sugar cane, and mangoes. However, the original product is transformed into a synthetic version which is loosing demand as many other countries have become sufficient in inorganic yields.
After buying expensive seed and fertilizer the government prices are no lucrative for the farmers and the over all profit of the farmers is reducing. This reduction in their overall profit is convincing the farmers to switch to other platforms. Lack of interest in canals and dams has made the availability of water unpredictable for the farmers.
Climate and Irrigation
Pakistan is blessed with all four weathers and the country is equipped with glaciers, rivers, streams, canals, and sea. The irrigation system of Pakistan was considered to be one of the largest and efficient irrigation systems of the world. However, the irrigation system is falling, consequently the agricultural system is falling. The situation is such that, especially, in the middle and southern parts of the country, the summers bring floods and the winters accompany droughts. In the summers when the glaciers melt in the Himalayas, the streams and rivers bring extra water but due to lack of dams there is no storage or blockage for this furious water flow. Within days and hours the water reaches dangerous levels and the water is diverted to cultivated lands in order to avoid human casualties. Over the years a lot of cultivated fields have been affected by the same phenomenon. In winters, the water is scarce the water is stored by India as well and the Pakistani rivers run dry, leaving the southern parts in drought. All of the water from the summers is spilled away into the sea. The water which gives life is taking lives and economy away from the country, every year.
Urbanization and Property Business
Although a large portion of Pakistani population lives in the rural areas, however, the trend of urbanization is picking up its pace. The awareness and the competition which is introduced after the availability of internet and mobile has greatly influenced the migration of people from rural areas to the urban areas. In doing so, many rural families sell away their lands in order to earn settlement in the city. Moreover, the property business is booming in the country. The farmers are being convinced to gain more profit, at once, by selling their lands rather than cultivating and gaining gradually over the years. The urban developers and builders are looking for such lands to build shopping malls, residential societies and other commercial buildings. This factor is also greatly influencing the agriculture of Pakistan.
Export Limitations
Even though Pakistan has been providing USA and China in many domains over its history but both of these countries have not done anything to help to increase the imports of Pakistan. According to some scholars they have rather reduced the exports of Pakistan. USA and the western world keeps on imposing trade embargoes and limitations to various countries of the world including Pakistan. There are various products which Pakistan is not allowed to export. Then there are various countries to whom Pakistan cannot export.
China on the other hand has brought the affects of dumping into the country. The cheap and abundant supply of products from China has greatly affected the agriculture and cottage industry of Pakistan. Most of the food items are now being imported from China which are bigger in size and cheaper price but their taste is artificial. The local agriculturists are being disappointed by the import of food crops and fruits from China and India pushing them away from agriculture.
Prospects of Agricultural sector in Pakistan
Increase in Exports
Exports of a country are significant for the current account balance. Pakistan being an agricultural country should have a lot of exports in this field. However, instead of increase in agricultural exports they are being decreased. There is plenty of room and scope in this field. If proper measures are taken in order to enhance the production and quality not only the exports can be increased but also Pakistan can create a demand in the global market. Let's take an example of fruits which are being grown in different parts of Pakistan in best quality. The apples and apricots of Swat, the Oranges from Sargodha, The Mango from southern Punjab and Sindh. All these are world class quality food production and have been in practice for hundreds of years. Still instead off magnifying the production even the current production is being disturbed. If the farmers are encouraged and educated for the production of specialty fruits it will be a great prospect for the economy of Pakistan.
Decrease in Imports
Even though Pakistan is an agricultural country but for a few decades the agricultural products are being imported by neighboring countries. The common items like tomatoes, potatoes and onions have been imported at times even from India. The fortune which is being paid to get the imported product in the country has bad impact on the economy. Imports must be limited, only for those things which a state does not possess or have the ability to produce. Importing agricultural products by Pakistan is a big failure. Some education and incentives will motivate the farmers to produce more food and crops which will reduce the imports of Pakistan, helping in rebuilding its economy.
Research
The farmers in Pakistan are mostly using the traditional ways. The others which have switched to synthetic agricultural products have little knowledge in this regard. Also the pesticides and other harmful sprays not only affect the nutrition value of the crop but also reduces the life of the land. Applied research is required in the field of Agriculture which can really boost the field back on its field. The things like tunnel farming, hydroponics, drip systems and etc. are required to be implemented in the villages and lands of the state. Farmers should be given incentives, education, packages and all sort of help for switching to modern techniques for more yield instead of causing harm to the soil.
Conclusion
Pakistan is an agricultural country and have been a great producer at one time. However, the political dilemmas and static nature of farming skills have reduced the production by large. Instead of exporting the agricultural products, Pakistan is importing them. There are various challenges which are being faced by Pakistan which are responsible for the fall of agriculture in Pakistan. If these challenges are overcome then the scope of agriculture is extremely high. It can single handedly provide stability to the economy of Pakistan.
