Agricultural/Rural Development in Pakistan

Ashar Shahzad

Introduction

• Agriculture is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy.

• It constitutes 21.5%1 of the total GDP of Pakistan. 45%2 of total labor force of Pakistan is employed in agricultural sector.

• Pakistan has a population of 184.35 million3 with growth rate of 2%4 per annum.

• With such a big population having a medium level of growth rate, it is a challenge for the government to maintain an agricultural growth rate above the population growth rate and feed the masses.

• 1. http://finance.gov.pk/survey/chapters_13/02-Agriculture.pdf page no: 17, accessed on 20 April 2014.

• 2. http://finance.gov.pk/survey/chapters_13/02-Agriculture.pdf page no: 17, accessed on 20 April 2014.

• 3. http://www.pk.undp.org/content/pakistan/en/home/countryinfo/ , accessed on 20 April 2014

• 4. http://www.pk.undp.org/content/pakistan/en/home/countryinfo/ , accessed on 20 April 2014

Growth in Agriculture in Pakistan

Production of Important Crops in Pakistan

Agriculture and Pakistan’s water Resources- Identifying Challenges

Agriculture and Pakistan’s water Resources- Identifying Challenges (Continued)

Agriculture and Pakistan’s water Resources- Identifying Challenges (Continued)

Livestock, Poultry Production and Fisheries- Growth and Bottlenecks• Together these three sectors are an important

subsector agriculture development/rural up liftmen in Pakistan.

• Pakistan is an exporter of halal meet ( chicken and red meat) and fisheries.

• The problem in this sector in Pakistan is that it is unorganized, not mechanized and access to credit is very low. It has a huge potential to grow. Most of farmers/owners of livestock lack knowledge to do smart business in livestock.

• Improvement in this sector will help to improve rural poverty in Pakistan

Recommendations for Agriculture/Rural Development in Pakistan• Canal irrigated agriculture, Large dams

needed to store water for lean period/time.

• Yield per acre is low. Need to use high quality seeds, pesticides, machines and more fertilizers.

• Need to invest in agriculture research and universities.

• Need to establish agriculture credit market at gross roots level ( micro-financing).

Recommendations for Agriculture/Rural Development in Pakistan (Continued)• Need to develop agriculture infrastructure like

canals, distributaries, farm roads and highways.

• Need to remove corruption, nepotism and favoritism from the system to achieve efficiency and more productivity,

• Need to establish transparent and robust institutions for regulating prices, markets and water resources allocations.

• Need to educate farmers and provide vocational training in livestock, Poultry and fisheries agro-based industries.