What are the general problems faced by Pakistani farmers at the time of tilling and harvesting of crops?

Answer 1

PROBLEMS FACED BY FARMERS OF Pakistan IN AGRICULTURE A STUDY BY MR

ALLAH DAD KHAN PPD CMPII KHYBER PAKHTOON KHWA PESHAWAR

Following are the causes of our backwardness

in agriculture:

1. Lack of Education Technical knowledge.

The farmers of our country are mostly un-educated and lack

technical knowledge .They are unable to understand the modern

scientific methods of agriculture and often remain ignorant of

good means to protect and increase their yield. Their production

is therefore low.

2. Lack of Capital and burden of debts

The majority of our farmers are poor and they often live in a hand

to mouth position. Most of them are always under heavy burdens

of debts. So due to lack of capital they cannot afford to purchase

modern scientific implements, chemical manures, improved types

of seeds etc.Hence they can not attain the required standards.

3. Stickness to the Old Traditional farming

Most of our farmers are still stuck to the old traditions of their

fore fathers. The circumstances have compelled them to use the

crude implements, because due to small holdings of land and

poverty they are unable to acquire and use modern scientific

methods. That is why their standard is lower than that of

cultivators in developed countries.

4.Water logging and Salinity the ailment to soil

water logging and salinity is increasing day by day. Due to

excessive use of canal water, most of our cultivated lands have

become victims of these two dangerous diseases. Every year,

salinity alone, is turning about 1,00,000 acres of arable land into marches and salt lands. Water-logging is no less injurious. On the

other hand the measures taken so far are quite inadequate for

such issues.

5. Uneconomical Land Holdings size

the small farmers are increasing in our country as the lands are

dividing generation by generation. So, there are large number of

farmers who own only 4 acres of land. These small farmers do

not get credit facilities to purchase seeds, pesticides, fertilizers

etc. Additionally, a large area of land is owned by feudals and the

farmers who work on their lands, are just tenants. This uncertain

situation of occupancy neither creates incentive of work nor does

attract capital investment

6. Scarcity of Water for irrigation

Our farmers have to face many problems due to scarcity of water

which is one our major problems. Large tracts of

land estimated to be about 22 million acres is lying uncultivated

due to shortage of water. Rainfall is uncertain and the existing

irrigational facilities in our country are quite insufficient and need

to be extended.

7. Land Tenure System

The land tenure system of Pakistan has creates a chain of

intermediaries in between the state and the tenants. The system,

instead of being conductive to agricultural development, stands in

the way of its progress.

8. Soil Erosion a threat to soils

In some areas of our country, especially in hilly regions, the

upper fertile soil is being eroded by different natural agents of

change .Thus the fertility is poor and soils are becoming less

productive. 9. Lack of Organized Marketing/ regulated marketing's

The marketing facilities for agricultural products in Pakistan are

still far from satisfactory level. Our cultivators cannot get

just prices for their produce due to defective marketing

organization. Moreover the chain of middlemen between the

producers and ultimate consumers take a heavy share of their

produce .Thus the cultivators do not take much real interest in

increasing their product too.

10. Pests and Crop Diseases break through

Due to lack of agricultural education and methods of modern

research, our farmers cannot control the various diseases of

crops and attacks of pests and insects. The result I

11.Poor Means of Transportation

The agricultural activities in our country are performed in rural

areas, but most of our villages have no road or railway links with

our markets. So farmers have to face innumerable hardships to

sell their products. Hence the farmers take very little interest in

their profession and production suffers.

12.Lack of Credit Facilities and access to farming

communities

The resources required for agricultural operation are

land,layout,live stock, farm equipment,

seeds,fertilizers,irrigation,transport etc.For the convenient and

timely procurement of these resources the farmers must have

easy access to credit. The A.D.B.P and commercial banks provide

loans to the farmers which are insufficient because our farmers

are very poor.

13. Low Yield Per Acre of crops ,fruit and vegetables

Pakistan has low yield per acre that means the average crop in

Pakistan is just 1/4th of that of advance states. Where as Nepal,

India and Bangladesh are using modern scientific methods to

increase their yield per acre. For this purpose, these states are

using modern machines to improve their yield.

14, Water wastage

water wastage is very high in our country. The archaic method of

flood irrigation is still in practice in whole of the country which

wastes almost 50 to 60 percent of water

Suggestion for Remedies to these problems

1.Reclamation of Land

The land which has been declared useless due to salinity and

water-logging should be reclaimed. Tube-wells should be installed

in the affected areas to decrease the salinity. Beds of new canals

should be made of concrete to avoid water-logging. These

measures should be taken on priority basis to avoid further

deterioration of land.

2. Irrigation Facilities

The water storage capacity is decreasing due to sedimentation. In

order to increase production to meet food requirements of the

growing population, additional water has to be provided. The additional water reservoirs may therefore be started

immediately.

More dams should be constructed on Indus, Jehlum and Chenab

rivers. This will enhance the storage capacity of water and reduce

the per acre cost of all the crops. This step will also reduce the

salinity chances of the lands as less tubewell water will be flooded

to the lands which cause salinity.

3. The Use Of Fertilizers

The agricultural yield can also be increased to a great extent by

using fertilizers. The use of artificial manure should be introduced

throughout the country. Due to poverty and illiteracy our farmers

hesitate to purchase the fertilizers.

4.Credit Facilities

The use of better seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and modern

implements is not possible without adequate credit facilities for

the farmers.The government has extended the existing credit

facilities to a large extent. The commercial banks also grant loans

to the farmers,but still there is a need for more facilities as our

farmers are very poor. The commercial banks may be encouraged

to provide credit to small farmers in addition to Zarai Tarqauati

Bank.

5.Better quality Seeds

The farmers should be provided better quality seeds at the lowest

price and at the right time. Better seeds will ultimately give

better yield.

6. Plant Protection

Various plant diseases damage a large part of our crops. But our farmers have no effective control over them.Therefore,preventive

and narrative measures should be taken

Marketing procedures should be simplified and

various marketing facilities should be provided to the cultivators.

11. Improvement In The Means Of transportation And

Communication

The rural areas of the country must be provided with

road and railway links with marketing centers and better

means of transport and communication should be provided.

12.Livestock sector improvement

Exploit livestock potential trough education of farmers

to adopt scientific practices and provision of health

care facilities at the farmer's doorsteps.

13.Agriculture Research

The agriculture research has to be demand driven.

Scientists must develop new cotton and tobacco

varieties to improve productivity. The certified seed

based on research may be made available to farmers

without passing through bureautic channels.

14.Sprinkle and Drip Irrigation

Water management of water through new systems be encouraged

through government.

Allah Dad Khan