Pakistan is blessed with the best possible natural resources and weather, but agriculture production of the country is almost 40 per cent less in comparison to neighbouring countries in the region. Production deficiencies are results of inefficiencies of research institutes and lack of government’s interest. These observations were made by Kissan Board Pakistan (KBP) Central Vice President Sarfraz Ahmad Khan here on Tuesday. He was speaking to the newly-elected office-bearers of the Agriculture Journalists Association (AJA), including President Munawar Hasan, Vice President Sighbat Ullah Chaudhry, General Secretary Rana Fawad and Finance Secretary Imran Adnan. AJA former president Zahid Baig and other members were also present on the occasion.
Khan pointed out that in all major crops Pakistan’s production was lowest in the region. In sugarcane, he indicated, through research and good farming practices various countries in the region had achieved production level of 1,200 to 1,500 maund per acre, whereas Pakistan was hovering between 500 and 600 maund per acre. Similarly, region was producing 50-60 maund wheat per acre, while Pakistan was getting a yield of 27-30 maund per acre. However, a few big farmers were touching these levels in the country too, which indicated the Pakistan had similar potential. Elaborating his point, Khan said that nearly 86 per cent farmers in the country had 12.5 acre or less land holdings, which did not have access to research and modern technology. Only a small percentage of big and influential farmers did have knowledge and access to modern research, he maintained.
KBP vice president underscored, “Agriculture is and will remain the base of national economy, as the country is surrounded on the prime land in the region.” The government should understand that Pakistan was located on an area that was rich with agriculture and mineral resources. But, Pakistan could never exploit this potential of visible and invisible natural resources, he lamented.
Lack of interest on the part of the state machinery had created socio-economic imbalance in the society. With better planning this crisis like situation could easily be converted into an opportunity. “If government maintains its focus on agriculture, the country’s exports can be multiplied, ample employment opportunities can be generate and food security will be no issue,” he underlined.
Criticising the role of research institutes, Khan said that these heavy headed institutes were merely causing a loss to national resources. These so-called research institutes were not delivering anything to agriculture or society, whereas the country was badly needed new research in almost all areas. He stressed that the country needed high-yield, weather and pest resistant varieties that could be produced with less water and it was only possible through research. He urged the government to pay due attention to research and development.
Speaking on the occasion, KBP Central Punjab President Chaudhry Manzoor Ahmad highlighted the issue of black marketing of agriculture inputs. He pointed out that though the government was giving subsidy on urea, but the benefit was not being passed to farmers. Farmers were still getting fertiliser at an exorbitant price of Rs1,600 to Rs1,700 per 50-kg bag. He indicated that mills were selling urea at Rs1,600 per bag, but due to absence price control middlemen were making hefty profits through black marketing.
