Reforming the Agriculture Sector of Pakistan
The agriculture sector in Pakistan is on a decline. The contribution of agriculture to the GDP has decreased from 27pc to 19pc in the last two decades. This situation is alarming as the agriculture sector of Pakistan employs 40pc of the country’s labor force and provides income to 64pc of the rural population. Along with that burgeoning population of Pakistan has multiplied this threat. According to UNDP forecasts, Pakistan will have 200 million more mouths to feed by 2050. The food crisis is more likely to worsen as currently, almost 21 million Pakistanis suffer from problematic food insecurity.
There are many factors due to which the agriculture sector is in distress. Traditional methods used in farming that result in low crop yield are among the main reasons for the dwindling agricultural sector. Developed countries use modern technology like robots and drones to increase their yield per hectare. The use of these devices allows businesses to be more efficient and profitable. Even FAO has forecasted that the Internet of Things will increase agricultural productivity by 70pc by 2050. While in Pakistan farmers are unaware of these modern technologies that can revamp the agricultural sector. Climate changes also affect the farmers in Pakistan with soil erosion, unpredictable weather changes. Recent locust attack also shows the wide gap between research and agricultural production. Lack of investment in research regarding new technologies and crops is also holding back our farmers from growing their yield. That is clear from the fact that allocation of financial resources to the research and development remained from 0.11 to 0.6 percent of agricultural GDP over the last two decades.
Inequitable water supplies and inefficient irrigation systems also play their role in diminishing agricultural productivity. Pakistan has one of the biggest irrigation systems globally, but unfortunately, due to inefficiencies, 60pc of the water gets wasted due to seepage, leakage, and unlined canals. Moreover, lack of quality technical and vocational education, inadequate seed production, and absence of robust credit facility further deteriorate the already struggling agricultural sector.
So, what are the strategies that can be utilized to revitalize the agricultural sector of Pakistan? The empowerment of female farmers in rural areas is a low-hanging fruit that can maximize agricultural productivity. The use of modern technology and the provision of technical training to the farmers in the rural areas can reinvigorate agricultural productivity. Farmers must be trained to use highly efficient and solar-powered systems for weed detection, aerial mapping, and soil analysis. That will allow farmers to be more efficient, profitable, and environment friendly. That also results in the efficient use of water as Pakistan already is a water-stressed country. The Netherlands is the leading example in the case of the use of technology. According to a World Economic Forum report, the Netherlands has become the world’s second-largest food exporter while curtailing water use by almost 90% and eliminating the use of insecticides and pesticides. In the Netherlands, drones help produce a yield of potato and onion yield double the global average.
Farmers need credit facilities to invest in modern technology, new seed varieties, and improved fertilizers. For that government needs to provide different avenues of cash through the banking sector. The government also needs to focus on the development of the agro-industrial cluster. The development of the agro-industrial cluster can generate more than the US $19 billion additional revenue for Pakistan. Shortening the gap between the agricultural sector and academia and investment in research and development can pave the way for exponential growth.
Without pulling people out of poverty, Pakistan cannot attain economic progress. Poverty can never be eliminated without strengthening the agricultural sector, as most poor people reside in rural areas. So, the economic prosperity of Pakistan is not possible without the growth of the agricultural industry. There is a lot of hard work and dedication that is required to achieve economic might. Our policymakers need to understand that. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day!
