Cost effective solution to rural unemployment

[313ghazi]

This is an idea i've had for many years and i think it is quite unpopular amongst some people. I'd like people to point out the positives and negatives.

My idea is state owned farms, with rural people employed to work on the land. These farms could be made on state owned land, rural people would be paid a wage to farm on these lands, given x% of the produce too (as an incentive to work hard) and the rest of produce would be sold at low cost in government utility stores.

These could start as low-tech farms and then eventually as you train the farmers, become more high-tech. I also think these could be later used as sites for agricultural colleges in the future., where students with a rural background could enrol and learn modern farming techniques.

 

[maithil]

This is an idea i've had for many years and i think it is quite unpopular amongst some people. I'd like people to point out the positives and negatives.

My idea is state owned farms, with rural people employed to work on the land. These farms could be made on state owned land, rural people would be paid a wage to farm on these lands, given x% of the produce too (as an incentive to work hard) and the rest of produce would be sold at low cost in government utility stores.

These could start as low-tech farms and then eventually as you train the farmers, become more high-tech. I also think these could be later used as sites for agricultural colleges in the future., where students with a rural background could enrol and learn modern farming techniques.

This communal farming concept was used extensively in Mao's China with stupendous results for masses. Stalin applied this method too and got superb results.

 

[CrazyZ]

I would suggest a twist. State backed large corporate farms. Most farming of bulk commodities in the west is dominated by large corporations now. Small family farms are dieing out. Large for profit corporation bring economies of scale without the drag of inefficient unproductive government run enterprises.

 

[313ghazi]

I think long term it could have big benefits. It would provide meaningful rural employment.

Produce could initially be sold at government utility stores, but later on if there is enough produced could be sold to local retailers, at wholesale rates, as long as they don't charge more than approved rates.

If this eventually results in enough produce being produced that the big farmers and wholesalers have excess stock, that could help reduce market prices and/or could be sold to export.

We need to think of a way to make agriculture pay - not everyone can move to the big city.

 

[Dubious]

This is an idea i've had for many years and i think it is quite unpopular amongst some people. I'd like people to point out the positives and negatives.

My idea is state owned farms, with rural people employed to work on the land. These farms could be made on state owned land, rural people would be paid a wage to farm on these lands, given x% of the produce too (as an incentive to work hard) and the rest of produce would be sold at low cost in government utility stores.

These could start as low-tech farms and then eventually as you train the farmers, become more high-tech. I also think these could be later used as sites for agricultural colleges in the future., where students with a rural background could enrol and learn modern farming techniques.

I think it is a good idea...

When Finland was poor (yes surprise surprise wasnt too long ago actually) they actually did something similar...They had "communal garden plots" where each family grew and ate from that produce...I am guessing they paid a small rent or something but everyone had something to eat...I am not sure how our people stop from stealing the neighbour's plot or sabotaging it

But your idea is prob much more feasible for our people!

 

[313ghazi]

I would suggest a twist. State backed large corporate farms. Most farming of bulk commodities in the west is dominated by large corporations now. Small family farms are dieing out. Large for profit corporation bring economies of scale without the drag of inefficient unproductive government run enterprises.

TBH i always thought any state owned enterprise should be like this. It should be shared with a private business who is responsible for the management and operations, the whole business side. The state shouldn't be growing tomatoes.

 

[Mr ambassador]

It's short term solution .
We should move towards industrial economy.

Water crises is growing and hitting crops nowadays. Even irrigated lands are slowly becoming barren . Why our economic growth should be directly proportional to global warming and regional politics.?

There is need of agriculture reforms. Atleast ban on the cultivation of rice from Gaddu to kotri barrage.

Fruit gardening is better than rice .
From Gaddu to barrage ,there should be fruit gardening

 

[nahtanbob]

I think it is a good idea...

When Finland was poor (yes surprise surprise wasnt too long ago actually) they actually did something similar...They had "communal garden plots" where each family grew and ate from that produce...I am guessing they paid a small rent or something but everyone had something to eat...I am not sure how our people stop from stealing the neighbour's plot or sabotaging it

But your idea is prob much more feasible for our people!

communal works in places with a sense of community. Not sure if rural pakistan fits the test
Otherwise it is Mao/Stalin lite farming sector

 

[Dubious]

It's short term solution .
We should move towards industrial economy.

Water crises is growing and hitting crops nowadays. Even irrigated lands are slowly becoming barren . Why our economic growth should be directly proportional to global warming and regional politics.?

There is need of agriculture reforms. Atleast ban on the cultivation of rice from Gaddu to kotri barrage.

Fruit gardening is better than rice .
From Gaddu to barrage ,there should be fruit gardening

So ban rice cultivation would mean increase the import...how is that feasible for the economy?

Conventional vegetable farming takes alot of water esp since many don't know what they are doing and grow them like rice. But drip system has shown that vegetables under the drip system can still grow wih effective use of water...
To teach the farmers was the job of the uni extension dept which since its setup has been oblivious to its duties.

TBH i always thought any state owned enterprise should be like this. It should be shared with a private business who is responsible for the management and operations, the whole business side. The state shouldn't be growing tomatoes.

Nothing wrong with the state growing it's own food...at least the people will know the meaning of hard work which many have forgotten...also it will be good exercise to keep he heart diseases at low...

communal works in places with a sense of community. Not sure if rural pakistan fits the test
Otherwise it is Mao/Stalin lite farming sector

I find nothing wrong with such a system when in time of need. ..and esp if it can feed many at a time of financial crisis which no other system can.

Only difference would be that such gardens can be caged or something to avoid stealing and one only gets what they put in

 

[B.K.N]

Even irrigated lands are slowly becoming barren .

I am seeing deserts turning into green fields in Pakistan every inch of arable land in under cultivation
but there is an other problem cities are expanding and agricultural lands are turning into housing socities

So ban rice cultivation would mean increase the import...how is that feasible for the economy?

Pakistan exports it's most of rice production only a small quantity is consumed in Pakistan

 

[khail007]

This is an idea i've had for many years and i think it is quite unpopular amongst some people. I'd like people to point out the positives and negatives.

My idea is state owned farms, with rural people employed to work on the land. These farms could be made on state owned land, rural people would be paid a wage to farm on these lands, given x% of the produce too (as an incentive to work hard) and the rest of produce would be sold at low cost in government utility stores.

These could start as low-tech farms and then eventually as you train the farmers, become more high-tech. I also think these could be later used as sites for agricultural colleges in the future., where students with a rural background could enrol and learn modern farming techniques.

One neither owns a land for cultivation nor have a job.
Such plan will provide him both opportunities and a due share in the crop - at rural level government should consider it will help in poverty alleviation, reduce migration to urban areas and will impact on increasing crime rate.
A win win situation for poor of rural areas and GoP.

 

[Dubious]

Pakistan exports it's most of rice production only a small quantity is consumed in Pakistan

Yes this is why we need to keep it that way...It is part of our gdp

One neither owns a land for cultivation nor have a job.
Such plan will provide him both opportunities and a due share in the crop - at rural level government should consider it will help in poverty alleviation, reduce migration to urban areas and will impact on increasing crime rate.
A win win situation for poor of rural areas and GoP.

Yes since he doesn't own it he doesn't need to pay taxes...since govt owns it they get something to earn from

 

[B.K.N]

Pakistanis are already doing what op is suggesting there are types of unemployment it doesn't only means if someone don't have any work to do only then he would be considered unemployed there are types of unemployment
Under employment is a type of unemployment where some person's skills or education are not being utilised to it's full potential like someone holding engineering degree working as manaul labour is called under employment
then there is hidden unemployment it's when a specific number of workers are working at some field or some other work but reducing the number of workers don't affects production or farm output then it's called hidden unemployment
and this type of unemployment is found in rural agricultural areas of Pakistan all family members are working at their land and or feeding their cattle etc people would think all of them are employed but actually it's called hidden unemployment
because if few of them are not working it won't affect the output of the farm

 

[nahtanbob]

I find nothing wrong with such a system when in time of need. ..and esp if it can feed many at a time of financial crisis which no other system can.

Only difference would be that such gardens can be caged or something to avoid stealing and one only gets what they put in

please review what went wrong with collective farming in countries as diverse as Ethiopia, China and Russia
what do you hope to achieve in collective farming that you could achieve with the numerous loss making state enterprises ?

One neither owns a land for cultivation nor have a job.
Such plan will provide him both opportunities and a due share in the crop - at rural level government should consider it will help in poverty alleviation, reduce migration to urban areas and will impact on increasing crime rate.
A win win situation for poor of rural areas and GoP.

what is going to happen: the smart/enterprising ones will want to strike it out on their own. the collective farms will be left with the rest

 

[Dubious]

please review what went wrong with collective farming in countries as diverse as Ethiopia, China and Russia
what do you hope to achieve in collective farming that you could achieve with the numerous loss making state enterprises ?

I think it will depend how the layout would be and how it is managed..