AGRICULTURE is a pivotal sector of Pakistan’s economy, making a substantial contribution to its development/progress. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, agriculture contributes approximately 24 percent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employs half of the labor force. Notably, the export of agro-based products, especially cotton and cotton yarn, plays a significant role in earning valuable foreign exchange for the country. However, in recent years, due to low yields of major crops, Pakistan has had to resort to importing wheat, sugar, and cotton.”
Moreover, agriculture feeds the whole rural and urban population, as our farmers prefer to produce major crops like wheat, cotton, rice, sugarcane and maize, although in recent years, due to persistent hikes in the prices of essential commodities like pulses, onions, potatoes, chilies and tomatoes, growingof these crops in Pakistan also needs attention. According to a contemporary newspaper, the data compiled by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) showed the share of food items in the total import bill reached 15.08 percent in 2021, compared to 12 percent in 2020, making the country dependent on imports to ensure food security.
In the year 2021, Pakistan imported 3.612 million tons of wheat worth $983.326million in nine months of this fiscal year. Similarly, sugar imports stood at 280,772 tons in the first 11 months of the year 2021. The import of tea posted growth of 13.51 percent in the first 11 months of the year 2021, while that of spices increased by 34.58pc. The import bill of pulses, dried fruits, milk and other food products witnessed massive growth during the period under review.
Although according to the list of countries by GDP sector, Pakistan ranks 8th globally in farm output, if we compare the yield of some major crops with others the yield is quite low. For example,Pakistan produces 3.1 tons of wheat from one hectare which is just 38% of the 8.1 tons produced in France – the world’s best productivity. Similarly, Pakistan produces 2.5 tons of cotton per hectare which is 52% of the 4.8 tons produced in China. According to an article published in the Sarhad Journal of Agriculture volume 25, Pakistan’s agriculture sector is working far below its genuine potential, presently, under-utilizing its potential resources, thus resulting in unnecessarily low yields per hectare.
Given the above-discussed significance of the agriculture sector for Pakistan’s economy, it can be said with confidence that modernizing agriculture as a priority in Pakistan can give a major boost to its economy. However, attention to other sectors of the economy is also important. Giving priority to agriculture is necessary because it will take less time, effort and money to modernize as compared with other sectors of the economy. Therefore, an immediate focus on expanding agriculture cultivation area/crops by emphasizing growing important crops and adopting modern methods to increase the yield of the required crops can help boost Pakistan’s economy in many ways.
For instance,it can reducePakistan’s import bill considerably, as Pakistan spends valuable foreign exchange on importing pulses, tea and edible oils, lowering the prices of almost all food items to give relief to the people, increasing employment opportunities and providing food security in the country. Also, by exporting surplus food items, Pakistan will be able to earn more foreign exchange from the agriculture sector which will give stability to its economy. To modernize agriculture, although there is a lot to be suggested, due to the shortage of space in the article following key suggestions are being offered.
As rightly suggested in the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) journal, the modernization of agriculture in Pakistan will require intensive efforts to manage land, soil, water and energy more sustainably. It will also necessitate reforms in markets for seed, fertilizer, land and commodities, such as wheat, and policies to encourage rural enterprise development, such as poultry farming for eggs, sheep rearing for milk and household vegetable cultivation. Moreover, to adapt to climate change in Pakistan, measures regarding water storage and distribution, including canal rehabilitation, maintenance and drainage will have to be taken to keep water flowing, protect against severe floods and meet the country’s changing water and energy needs.
There is a need to increase the area of crop production, especially the introduction/use of modern technology suited for large as well as small land-holding farmers will be required. In this context, China has done a lot as their farmers have an excess to the cheaper agriculture machinery which saves time and effort and prepares the soil for various crops and plants in the best possible manner. Studying this approach and making such machinery accessible to Pakistani farmers is imperative.
Additionally, ensuring the availability of high-quality seeds, fertilizers and pesticides in adequate quantities and at affordable costs for farmers is crucial. Most importantly, the revival of Pakistan’s agricultural research and extension departments is imperative. These departments need revitalization to offer timely, comprehensive guidance to farmers on crop selection, appropriate cultivation techniques, optimal timings for fertilizer and pesticide application and methods for value addition to harvested products. Such support is vital for enhancing agricultural productivity and ensuring effective market strategies pre- and post-harvest.
—The writer is also a former Research Fellow of IPRI and Senior Research Fellow of SVI Islamabad.
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views expressed are writer’s own.
