Ans: Steps towards solving problems of Agriculture:
We in Pakistan, repeatedly claim that agriculture is the backbone of ou
economy. Our govemments have always tried to solve the agricultural
problems we are facing, some of these efforts proved fruitful, but the
problems are growing fastly, and more efforts are required for their solution
Given in the following lines is a review of the steps so far taken for the
solution of the agricultural problems:
Agricultural Reforms:
Many steps were taken after independence for the improvement of
agricultural sector, Provisional governments made policies to safeguard the
tenants’ rights, as well as for the improvement of tenant-landlord
relationship. The federal governments introduced reforms in years 1954.
1958, 1972, and 1997. Under all these reforms maximum limit of land-
holding was fixed. Following are the other objectives of these reforms:
. Enhance agricultural production.
. Expand employment opportunities, especially in the rural areas.
. Improve relationship between the tenant and the landowner.
. Equitable distribution of the agricultural produce.
. Improve rural population’s standard of living.
Under 1972 agricultural reforms maximum limit of land-holding was fixed at
150 acres irrigated and 300 acres non-irrigated (barani), Excess land was
taken over by the government and allotted to the landless tenants, its price
was recovered in easy installments. Water-rate (aabiyana) and land revenue
(maalia) were waived off for small land holdings. In 1993 the government
distributed millions of acres of land to the landless haries in the kachcha
areas of Sindh. Main target of the 1997 reforms was to achieve self-reliance
in wheat. An amount of Rs 15 billion was advanced to the tenants as
agricultural loans..
Other Efforts:
1. Reclamation of Waterlogged Land:
Water logging and Salinity Control Program was run under Salinity Control
and Reclamation Project. Thousands of tubewells were installed and drains
were built to reclaim land spoiled by water logging.
2.Flood Control:
Flood control and warning centers were established. Approximately four
million acres of land was protected from flood by planting trees and putting
up embankments.
3. Crop Protection:
Measures were taken for the enhancement of agricultural produce and
protection of crops. For this purpose, farmer helplines and advisory services
were setup. Arrangements were made for timely spray of the crops, from
land and air. For controlling locust in desert areas, early warning system was
devised.
4. Provision of Agricultural Subsidy:
Subsidy is support amount which the government pays to the farmer with the
purpose of keeping prices under control. In order to help the agriculture
sector, government provides subsidy on fertilizer, electricity, installation of
tube wells and agriculture implements and machinery.
5. Promotion of Agriculture Literacy:
Governments are applying all mediums of instruction like: radio, television
and print media (books, journals, newspapers) to educate the farmer for
better and scientific agriculture.
6. Enhancement of Storage Capacity:
Pakistan Agriculture Storage Services Corporation (PASSCO) was instituted
in 1973, with the main purpose that the government purchases the yield of
all the major crops directly from the farmer, this ensures that the farmers get
adequate price of their yield and this is stored properly.
7. Construction of Farm-to-Market Roads:
In order to provide the farmers better facilities of transportation, the
infrastructure from farm-to-market is being improved gradually.
8. Provision of Agricultural Loans:
Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited of Pakistan (ZTBL) was instituted with a
purpose to advance soft loans to the farmers. These loans enable the
farmers to buy seeds, fertilizers, insecticides, tractors and agricultural
equipment’s at proper time. Loans are also advanced for the installation of
tube wells. 9. Farmer Training:
Different ways and means are adopted to educate the farmers about how
they can enhance their production by using modern agricultural techniques.
10. Expansion of Irrigation Infrastructure:
New dams, barrages, headworks and link-canals were constructed after
independence. Irrigation system was improved; extensive tube-well schemes
were introduced in areas like Thal.
11. Support Price:
At times farmers cost of agricultural produce exceeds its market price. This
gradual loss discourages the farmers and they discontinue cultivating such
crops In order to avoid the shortage of major agricultural commodities the
government buys the produce directly from the farmer on support price.
12. Water Resources and Irrigation System:
According to global gradation, Pakistan falls in the category of arid regions,
but not so arid as certain other Asian and African regions are. We receive
less rainfall as compared to most countries of the world, but we are fortunate
to have an extensive network of rivers. We have a superb irrigation system,
best of its kind in the world. Indus Valley civilization, of which we are a part,
was known for its fertility of land, from times immemorial. The British rules
gave our land an excellent irrigation system.