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Pakistan Agriculture Developments

Good crops have grown , by hard work of General Sahib

Thande Thande Barish ke Pani se Nahana chahiye ,
Gajr muli khana chahiye


Look out for

Askari Doodh , Mali Wala
Askari Lassi
Aaskari Corn


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Pakistan has 6.9m tons of wheat reserves​

Ministry says stocks sufficient to meet country’s needs till May 2024

Our Correspondent
November 04, 2023


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ISLAMABAD: The national food security and research ministry has made it clear that there were abundant reserves of wheat in the country – around 6.934 million metric tons at the start of November this year.

In a report, the ministry said the Pakistan Agriculture Storage and Supplies Corporation (Passco) had a wheat stock of 1.78 million tons.

As far as the provinces are concerned, the ministry pointed out that Punjab's had 4.021 million tons of wheat reserves, Sindh 817,000 tons, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 227,000 tons, and Balochistan 89,000 tons.

The ministry added that Passco’s reserves combined with those of the provinces, the wheat stocks were sufficient to meet the country’s requirements till May 2024.

It said after this period, the beginning of the new crop harvest season would see a surge in wheat availability in the local markets, further bolstering the carry-forward stocks.

It continued that the new crop started coming to the markets at the end of March.

“This amount is sufficient to tackle local dietary needs, besides keeping the strategic stocks as well as maintaining supply and demand smooth in local markets to provide the commodity at reasonable prices,” the report read.

As per the report, the private sector has started importing wheat as well after the interim federal government encouraged it. So far, 700,000 tons of wheat has been imported by the private sector into the country.

It is expected that 1.2 million more tons of wheat would be imported as well.

According to the report, the interim federal government has assured all possible support to the private sector to ensure the import of wheat till the arrival of the new crop.

It added that the supply and demand situation had improved because of these measures of the government and there was no shortage of wheat in any part of the country.

Wheat prices, which stood at Rs4,800 per 40kg a month ago, are being reported at Rs4,400 to Rs4,300 per 40kg now.

According to the report, there is a possibility of further reduction in the price of wheat. This will reduce the hardships of the common people and improve their purchasing power.

Separately, the University of Agriculture Faisalabad in collaboration with the Punjab Agriculture Extension Department has launched an eight-day wheat campaign from November 7 to November 14 in which 330,000 students would visit farmers’ fields in six divisions of the province.

The campaign is meant to disseminate experts’ recommendations to increase productivity per acre.

In a related development, agriculture scientists have advised wheat farmers to start cultivation at the start of November to ensure better production.

A spokesman for the agriculture department told the media that farmers in arid areas should only cultivate approved varieties of wheat including Chakwal-50, NARC-2009, PARC-2009, Dharabi-2011, and Pakistan-2013.
 
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Chinese technology can multiply agriculture production in Pakistan:​

By Shafqat Ali
Nov 3, 2023

ISLAMABAD - Caretaker Pakistan Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Dr Kausar Abdullah Malik said on Thursday afternoon that Chinese technology can multiply the agriculture production in Pakistan.

Malik chaired a meeting at the Ministry of National Food Security and Research to discuss ways to enhance the productivity of wheat, rice, and sugarcane.

At the meeting, the Federal Minister emphasized the importance of agriculture as a cornerstone of the country's economy and pledged to address obstacles in agricultural projects on a priority basis to ensure timely completion of projects serving national and public interests.

He said the second phase of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor focuses on agriculture and the recent support from China in the agriculture sector had been immensely helpful.

He maintained that Chinese technology and experience can give a powerful injection to the agriculture production on Pakistan which was far below the capacity.

During the meeting, the Federal Minister was briefed on various accomplishments. Notably, the production capacity of wheat has increased by 4 million tons, resulting in a financial benefit of 400 billion rupees.

The meeting also discussed progress in enhancing rice production, where the project, launched under the Prime Ministerial Agriculture Emergency Program, has contributed to a significant increase in rice production, with rice exports totaling USD 2.5 billion in 2021-22. Subsidies were provided for seed, fertilizers, weedicide, and farming machinery.

In terms of sugarcane, the project aimed at boosting productivity with investments from various stakeholders. Several surveys, training programs, and research activities have led to a 5.7-ton per hector (ha) yield increase overall, with even higher results in Punjab at 7.9 ton/ha, exceeding the target of 19.8 t/ha.
 
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Nov 6, 2023

ISLAMABAD, - Chairman of the Pakistan Hitech Hybrid Seed Association (PHHSA) Shahzad Ali Malik said on Sunday afternoon Pakistani farmers should follow the Chinese counterparts to enhance agricultural production and achieve healthy crops.

In a meeting with a delegation of progressive farmers here, Malik stressed that in the face of emerging global challenges, there was an urgent requirement to diversify the agricultural sector.

He emphasized that this diversification was essential to meet the growing demand for food staples.

The PHHSA chief maintained that collaboration with China’s government and experts was the key to making improvements in the agricultural sector.

“The world is evolving at a rapid pace, with climate change, population growth, and shifting consumer demands reshaping the agricultural landscape,” he added.

Malik acknowledged the numerous challenges faced by the agricultural community, ranging from unpredictable weather patterns to the depletion of natural resources.
“Embracing diversification in our agricultural practices is not merely an option; it has become a necessity,” he contended.

Malik explained that diversifying the agricultural sector can yield a multitude of benefits. “By cultivating a variety of crops, we can mitigate the risks associated with climate change and pest-related issues.

Furthermore, diversification contributes to improved soil health and fertility, reduces the reliance on chemical inputs, and fosters biodiversity. It also creates new opportunities for economic growth, enabling farmers to tap into niche markets and enhance their income,” he elaborated.
 
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Farmers trained on cherry export prospects to China​

By Khalid Aziz
Nov 8, 2023

ISLAMABAD - The Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Co. (PHDEC) on November 7 organized one-day training for farmers in Gilgit on prospects of cherries’ export to China.

Farmers trained on cherry export prospects to China



The event focused on production and challenges associated with the value chain to boost cherries’ exports to China, according to the PHDEC.

Pakistan has significant cherry clusters in Gilgit-Baltistan and Balochistan. On the other hand, China imported 367,000 tons of cherries for USD 2.77 billion in 2022, demonstrating immense potential in this sector.

Farmers trained on cherry export prospects to China


The objective of the training was to enlighten stakeholders about the promising prospects within the sector and to encourage more cherry farmers to join the ranks of registered orchards.

The workshop was also aimed at educating farmers on adoption of sound agricultural practices to increase production and fruit size, especially for renowned varieties like black cherries.

Dr. Mubarak Ali, Consultant Agro Division, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, emphasized importance of quality germ plasms and introduction of new cherry varieties. Good agricultural practices and development of a robust value chain were also highlighted as essential elements for success.

Athar Hussain Khokhar, CEO PHDEC, appreciated active participation of the audience. He highlighted that Pakistani cherries are grown with pristine glacier-sourced waters, without the use of harmful fertilizers or pesticides.
 
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Smart Agriculture Forum ignites dynamic Pak-China expert exchanges​

By Saira Iqbal
Nov 10, 2023

BEIJING - The World Agrifood Innovation Conference was held in Beijing from November 2 to 4. One of the highlights of the event was the Smart Agriculture Forum, which attracted over 200 agricultural experts from China and around the world.

During the forum, experts and entrepreneurs from the United States, Germany, Australia, Japan, Pakistan, and China delivered presentations, sharing the latest research advancements and practical applications in smart agriculture. Pakistani Professor Muhammad Naveed Tahir from Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR), and Professor Farman Ali Chandio from the University of Sindh provided insights into the current state of Pakistan’s agriculture and presented their visionary ideas for precision agriculture and digital farming.

“In recent years, real-time technology has revolutionized the application of weedicides, pesticides, and fungicides. We have conducted several training workshops on variable rate technology (VRT) which enables precise allocation of agricultural inputs based on spatial variations in soil, topography, fertility levels, and other field characteristics, utilizing GPS/GIS map-based and sensor-based applications,” stated Dr. Muhammad Naveed Tahir, he also shared his experience in establishing Smart Internet of Things(IoT) Farm. “The similar climatic conditions in China and Pakistan offer a significant opportunity for Pakistan to learn from China's expertise in precision agriculture and improve agricultural outputs.” He added.

"Leveraging modern technologies such as the IoT to enhance agricultural production and management capabilities is crucial,” said Wang Yingkuan, the Secretary-General of the China Society of Agricultural Engineering and the host of the forum. Wang expressed his hope to promote the innovation and application of smart agricultural technologies through international exchanges and cooperation with Pakistan.
 
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Creating market for rice stubble

Syed Akhtar Ali
November 16, 2023

Every winter season, starting from October to January, air pollution and smog dawn on Central Punjab. Cold temperature and loss of wind velocity play a role in accentuating the intensity of the problem. Burning of rice stubble is one of the major factors, although, all of the problems cannot be ascribed to it.

It has been estimated that rice stubble burning has a 30% share in the total problem of the smog season. Other factors are vehicular traffic, industrial pollution, construction activities and others.

All crops and crop waste burning have been banned in Punjab. There is Section 144 against it. Violators can be fined and even arrested. However, the problem has a large dimension. It cannot be solved through laws and policing alone. There has to be an affordable solution to the problem.

In order to sow the next crop, farmers have to clean the farm land and remove the straw and stubble as quickly as possible. Many kinds of machines have been introduced, which have been employed by big farmers. There have been subsidies for hiring machines and their services as well. Some effect should have been there of these measures, but the problem persists.

There are some smaller but interesting solutions as well. A Harvard/MIT study proposed that only if farmers start burning the stubble two hours earlier, there may be a reduction of 14% in air pollution, saving 10,000 deaths annually in Indian Punjab. They have discovered that Basmati causes much less pollution in stubble burning.

Farmers argue that dew drops on rice stubble make the field too wet for tilling. Burning straw is a low cost and fast solution. It also helps in controlling weeds economizing on the expenditure required on herbs and pesticides.

They argue that machines are too expensive and unaffordable. However, if the stubble is sellable at a price higher than the cost applied in cutting and collecting it, farmers should be agreeable and inclined. Punitive laws may then be effective as well in the face of a viable option.

Rice stubble has a mass and energy. It is not useless. It should be made a commodity—a sellable commodity. It can be employed in a number of uses in industries, specifically, in producing energy. And there has to be a use and customer for that energy. There are three market areas; 1. Biogas and ethanol production; 2.Bio-pellets for house-holds, brick-kilns and other industrial furnaces; 3.General market in larger areas.

There are more than 10,000 brick kilns in Punjab, which burn coal. New technology has been introduced in reducing coal consumption. Bio-mass pallets can be employed to replace 20% of the coal consumption, creating a ready market.

There is a ready example in India where legislation has been introduced in this respect. There may be some initial problems in introducing and facilitating a chain of SMEs for producing and supplying bio-pellets. But there is a ready market in brick kilns.

Also, biomass stoves have been introduced that require pellets. Credit and subsidies to promote these stoves will not only help partly solve the air pollution problem by replacing stubble burning in the field. 8.5 million tonnes of rice residue is produced annually. It is a lot of useful material. Coal consumption in brick kilns stands around 3.5 million tons.

However, rice residues CV should be only 40% of that of coal. It appears that brick kilns can consume a significant portion of the rice residue.

The main problem with rice stubble burning is that it is generated and has to be disposed of in a small window of time concentrating air pollution and smog. Its burning in industries over a wider area and in a much larger time slot will reduce the air pollution impact.

However, in case of biogas, it is a highly safe and pollution-less approach. Rice stubble is converted into residue, pretreated and then subject to bacterial digestion in airless large vessels, almost as large as that of big oil storage tanks.

Biogas can be burnt raw or can be cleaned. Raw biogas contains 45-50% CO2 and some H2S, which is removed to produce almost pure Bio-methane. Bio-methane’s main usage is as Bio-CNG. It can replace CNG and let its equivalent be used in other industrial, commercial or residential sector. Raw biogas can promote rural industrialization promoting many kinds of industries.

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Another use for rice residue is in the production of bio-ethanol, i.e., ethanol made from bio-resources like rice residue. In Pakistan, ethanol is made by sugar industry and is exported. In other countries, ethanol is mixed with petrol to make 5E (5% mix of ethanol in petrol) and 10E (10% ethanol in petrol).

Bio-ethanol can be exported as ethanol is being exported, earning much-needed foreign exchange. India is utilizing rice residue for both—biogas and bio-ethanol. A plant has been built in India, which will consume 500 tons of paddy straw per day in order to produce 100,000 liter of bio-ethanol per day. Similarly, another plant has been built to produce 100 tons per day of biogas out of 300 tonnes of paddy stubble. Several such plants are in the offing.

Rice stubbles converted into bales can be marketed over a larger market area. Provincial governments can facilitate storage and logistics, if at all it is required. Things should work on their own in the private sector and the markets. Steel furnaces and boilers can also use this. We have mentioned earlier of the prospects of rural industrialization.

We can conclude that rice stubble, which is currently acting as almost a curse, can be converted into a blessing by the three uses as described in the foregoing. The easiest and fastest solution is its usage in brick kilns.

While India has prescribed 20% mix of rice residue with coal to be used in brick kilns, ICIMOD (international centre for integrated mountain development) is trying to take this percentage to 40%. Similarly, there are many other opportunities and resources which are considered as waste or useless can be converted into useful products and commodity, boosting industrialisation and creating employment.
 

Pakistan’s rice exports set to reach a record high in FY 23-24 on good crop output​

By Staff reporter | Gwadar ProApr 17, 2024

SHENZHEN, Apr. 17 (Gwadar Pro)- “In terms of value, rice exports in seven months of the fiscal year have already reached what the country achieved in the last financial year,” Chela Kewlani, chairman, Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan, mention in February.
Pakistan’s rice exports soared owing to a good crop size and a jump in prices, with shipments expected to exceed 5 million ton for the first time in history, said Kewlani. And on the basis of the latest report from the United States Department of Agriculture, Pakistan’s rice exports in 2023/24 are expected to reach a record 5.5 million tons, a significant increase of 46.3% from the previous year’s 3.76 million tons.
Pakistan’s rice exports set to reach a record high in FY 23-24 on good crop output

Pakistani Rice Exports in 2023/24 (tons)
“As per estimated, Pakistan will produce some 9 million metric tons of rice during the year and this will help to export more commodity,” noted Rafique Suleman, Convenor FPCCI Standing Committee on rice. “We could expect the volume to reverse decline last year.” The country’s rice exports will not only be higher than previous year but likely to touch an all-time high level, Suleman indicated. Thanks to the expansion of planting area and the improvement of technology, growers will be the direct beneficiaries of the export expansion.
Pakistan’s rice exports set to reach a record high in FY 23-24 on good crop output

Pakistan’s rice exports set to reach a record high in FY 23-24 on good crop output

Pakistani rice production [Photo/USDA]
“As compared with last year, the price of rice has increased by 25% to 30%, which has helped the country earn more of foreign exchange through shipments of the commodity,” said Kewlani.
Global rice prices are up because of an export ban imposed by the Indian government in a bid to curb inflation, with the country’s market share previously around 40%, said a commodity expert. Taking this golden opportunity, Pakistan's rice exports have been shifting to new markets by actively marketing to more distant countries and regions. On the basis of relying on core markets, Pakistani rice has expanded into several new markets in Southeast Asia and the Western Hemisphere.
Basmati rice exports fetched on an average USD 1,146/ ton compared with USD 1,044/ton last year while non-basmati on an average fetched around USD 567/ton whereas last year it worked out to be USD 449/ton, Hamid Malik, a commodity expert, said.
Pakistan's rice export to China in 2022 surpassed USD 455 million with a volume of more than one million tonnes, for the first time between China-Pakistan rice trade, said Ghulam Qadir Commercial Counsellor. And Chinese traders are also looking forward to seizing the chance to gain a greater share of Pakistani rice in the domestic market.
“We started importing Pakistani rice in 2018, with the annual import volume has been stable at more than 200,000 tons in recent years. Both basmati and non-basmati rice are within our scope. In China, basmati is used as a kind of high-end rice, mainly for Southeast Asia and South Asia restaurants. This long-grain rice, which has a chewier taste, requires less water when cooking. It is suitable for making baked rice and hand-picked rice,” Ding Yong, East China Regional Manager, Shenzhen Vintop Import and Export Co., Ltd. told Gwadar Pro.
“More Chinese should be promoted to learn about basmati rice, to my way of thinking, which will be of great help to stimulate the export of Pakistani rice. Basmati rice is a business card of Pakistan, thus more publicity on local customs will be of great benefit to expanding the domestic market,” Ding added.
 

‘Modern warehousing can transform agriculture’

The Newspaper's
April 26, 2024

LAHORE: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has said that Pakistan’s current economic outlook can help the private and financial sectors transform agriculture in the country.

He was speaking at the concluding session of ‘Agri Connections 2024’ at the Expo Centre on Thursday.

“Robust growth in the agriculture sector, declining inflation rates, strong value of the rupee, strong remittance inflows, rising forex reserves, and a buoyant stock market are stable macroeconomic indicators underscoring the country’s improved economic outlook,” he said.

“We want to facilitate farm machinery service providers, and we need a major scale-up of modern agri warehousing under the EWRs financing that allows agri commodities to be traded nationally and internationally,” said the minister.

Ahsan Rana, an Associate Professor at LUMS, said the country’s overly regulated seed system is unsuitable for agriculture’s growth.

“Cumbersome procedures have made our seed system depend on the government, making Pakistan stay in the lowest ranks in this domain according to the World Bank.”

He said that compliance should be voluntary, enforcement should be limited to few aberrations, a two-tier system for seed companies should be developed, and the regulator should become a facilitator.

Maria Saleem, GM Agri-Business, Fatima Group, said that an additional $18 billion can be generated by enhancing wheat yields per acre by freeing up 5 million acres of cotton land.

She added that Pakistan could earn $1.6bn by planting canola/raya on 5 million acres saved from the wheat area, as Pakistan imports 4 million tonnes of edible oil worth $4bn annually.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2024
 
The case for agriculture exports

The Express Tribune
Jul 15, 2024

To secure an International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan of $6 billion, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has repeatedly emphasised that Pakistan’s tax-to-GDP ratio, currently at 9 per cent, is inadequate to sustain the country. He has expressed a firm commitment to increasing this ratio to 13pc within the next three years.

Regrettably, neither he nor any other senior government official has demonstrated a similar level of commitment and dedication to raising the country’s exports-to-GDP ratio (exports of goods and services as a percentage of GDP), which currently stands at around 10.4pc. Many economists believe that increasing this ratio to 15pc could potentially obviate the need for an IMF loan or external borrowing to address the balance of payments crisis.

In 1990, Pakistan’s exports-to-GDP ratio was around 14.8pc, which was significantly higher than that of China, India, and Bangladesh. Over the last three decades, these countries have predominantly experienced export-led growth, resulting in increased exports-to-GDP ratios of 19.7pc, 21.9pc, and 13.2pc, respectively, in 2023, as per World Bank data.

Unfortunately, due to flawed economic policies and the misplaced priorities of successive governments, Pakistan has bitterly failed to achieve export-led growth. Particularly during the Nawaz Sharif regime (2013-2017), the dollar exchange rate was artificially capped at Rs100 for four years. This policy made imports cheaper, leading to a surge in imports while exports declined.

In fact, the policy shook the very foundation of Pakistan’s export sector and disrupted the value chains of exportable products. While the intention was to keep inflation in check and to win the country’s next election — a short-term political gain — it came at the expense of long-term export growth. Consequently, Pakistan transitioned to a consumption-based economy, and the business community shifted its investment focus from manufacturing to trading and real estate sector.

The government, however, continued to collect taxes and duties on imports — a hassle-free method of tax collection and boosting revenue — without acknowledging that it came at the cost of a massive current account deficit. As a result, Pakistan’s export-to-GDP ratio decreased from 12.2pc in 2013 to 8.2pc in 2017, according to World Bank data.

Now, with the exception of some niche markets, Pakistan is struggling to increase its exports. The manufacturing sector feels incapacitated in maintaining its competitiveness in global markets due to a high policy rate of 20.5pc, electricity costs three times higher than those in neighbouring countries, and, to top it all off, frequently changing trade policies and tax regimes.

Historically, our manufacturing sector, particularly the textile sector, has relied on the government’s subsidies and incentives, which have hindered productivity, product diversification, and product quality improvements to the level needed to compete in global markets.

As the government withdraws these tax-related concessions and other incentives due to the financial crisis, manufacturers and exporters openly state that they will relocate their businesses to other countries, offering better incentives and a business-enabling environment.

However, amidst these economic challenges, the business environment, and current government policies, agriculture and information and communication technology (ICT) are the two sectors that can be relied upon for export growth, even during the current economic stabilisation phase.

Agriculture and IT are relatively less capital-intensive and do not require significant energy inputs. Their electricity needs can be efficiently met through solar power for offices and tube wells. Moreover, contrary to manufacturing, their turnaround period is in months, not years.

These sectors also offer another significant advantage: unlike the manufacturing sector, they are not heavily reliant on imports. Consequently, when they export, there is no corresponding considerable increase in imports.

In the agriculture sector, exports are primarily commodity-based and mostly competitive in price. The agriculture sector does not require substantial capital-intensive interventions to gear up for exports. By simply using high-yielding certified and climate-resilient seeds, ensuring the recommended plant population, applying fertilisers in the required quantities and proportions, increasing cropping intensity with the use of short-duration seed varieties, and ensuring a cost-plus pricing structure for crops — a prerequisite for the financial viability in farming — the agriculture sector can unlock its immense potential in the short-term. This will allow it to produce additional volumes for import substitution as well as to create export surpluses.

According to the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), agri-food exports of Pakistan reached $8bn in FY24, which is 37pc higher than last year. This surge is mainly due to remarkable growth in the exports of rice, maize, sesame, meat, and onion. However, these exports were not part of a deliberate plan; instead, they resulted from farmers’ decisions to cultivate these crops extensively, driven by their relatively better financial prospects.

Therefore, to boost agricultural exports sustainably, the country needs a robust policy coupled with a comprehensive strategy and an effective institutional framework for implementation and monitoring. A well-structured policy can provide the government entities with a clear direction, roadmap, and framework to undertake essential measures proactively for increasing the access and competitiveness of the prioritised list of the agricultural products — both traditional and non-traditional — in conventional as well as untapped international markets.

In conclusion, Pakistan’s potential for sustainable growth in agri-food exports hinges on its ability to generate a significant export surplus. Achieving this goal requires two key strategies: bridging existing gaps in productivity and crop yields viz-a-viz comparable countries and increasing cropping intensity, which currently stands at 1.59.
 

Salt-tolerant crops

Amin Ahmed
August 10, 2024

ISLAMABAD: With initial support from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the National Institute for Agriculture and Biology (Niab) has made significant strides in developing and planting salt-tolerant crops and implementing soil management techniques to combat salinisation.

Niab has now started sharing its expertise with other countries affected by soil salinisation, by offering training to their scientists, according to information released by IAEA.

Pakistan has lost 5.7 million hectares of arable land due to soil salinisation. This figure is growing by 40,000 hectares each year, Niab estimates. Most crops are unable to grow in soil with high salt levels, turning fields into desert landscapes and posing a serious threat to food security.

Over the last three years, with IAEA support, Niab conceptualised and organised specific training to expand the expertise in the region. In total, 21 scientists and soil specialists from Azerbaijan, Burundi, Iraq, Lesotho and Senegal have been trained on relevant isotopic techniques through fellowships and scientific visits.

To support the Asia-Pacific region, Niab experts also trained 39 members of the regional scientific community on climate-smart agriculture practices to boost climate change resilience.
 

Land fragmentation and its impacts​

Division of land hits productivity due to failure to achieve economies of scale

AHMAD MUKHTAR
November 04, 2024
in terms of financial support the representative from the state bank of pakistan informed the fca that allocations of institutional credit for agriculture had substantially increased to rs1 819 billion for 2022 23 photo file


In terms of financial support, the representative from the State Bank of Pakistan informed the FCA that allocations of institutional credit for agriculture had substantially increased to Rs1,819 billion for 2022-23. PHOTO: file


ISLAMABAD: Land fragmentation is a significant issue in Pakistan, where agricultural land is divided into smaller and smaller plots over generations.

In Punjab, the most agriculturally productive region of Pakistan, land fragmentation is particularly severe. A study found that approximately 68% of total farms are small and subsistent, making it difficult to apply modern agricultural technologies effectively. In Sindh, land fragmentation has resulted in significant challenges for water management. The province relies heavily on irrigation from the Indus River, but fragmented landholdings make it difficult to implement efficient irrigation systems. This has led to water wastage and uneven distribution, exacerbating water scarcity issues.

In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), land fragmentation has been linked to increased poverty and migration. As landholdings become smaller, many farmers find it difficult to sustain their livelihoods, leading to migration to urban areas in search of better opportunities.

Balochistan faces unique challenges due to its arid climate and limited water resources. Land fragmentation in this region has made it difficult to implement sustainable agricultural practices, leading to soil degradation and reduced agricultural productivity.

This phenomenon has profound implications for agricultural productivity, economic stability, and food security. Understanding the causes and consequences of land fragmentation is crucial for developing effective policies to mitigate its negative impacts.

The main causes for land fragmentation are, firstly, the inheritance laws, which mandate the division of land among all heirs, leading to progressively smaller plots with each generation. This practice ensures equitable distribution but results in fragmented landholdings that are often too small for efficient farming. Secondly, the rapid population growth worsens land fragmentation. As families expand, the demand for land increases, leading to further subdivision. This trend is particularly pronounced in rural areas where agriculture is the primary livelihood.

Thirdly, the expansion of urban areas and industrial projects often encroaches on agricultural land, forcing farmers to sell or subdivide their holdings. This not only reduces the amount of land available for farming but also disrupts traditional agricultural practices.

The land fragmentation negatively impacts the agricultural productivity due to smaller farms and inability to achieve economies of scale. Modern farming techniques and machinery are often not feasible on small plots, leading to lower yields and higher production costs.

The smallholder farmers may also struggle to manage multiple small plots, leading to wasted resources and time. This inefficiency is compounded by the difficulty of implementing crop rotation and other sustainable practices on small plots.

The cost of cultivation also increases with land fragmentation. Farmers must invest more in fencing, irrigation, and transportation to manage scattered plots. These added costs reduce overall profitability and discourage investment in modern farming techniques.



The intensive farming on small plots can lead to soil degradation. Without the ability to leave land fallow or implement sustainable practices, soil fertility declines over time.

This degradation further reduces agricultural productivity and increases the need for chemical fertilisers, which can have long-term environmental impacts. Moreover, efficient water management is challenging on the fragmented land. Small plots often lack access to adequate irrigation infrastructure, leading to water wastage and uneven distribution. This issue is particularly critical in Pakistan, where water scarcity is a growing concern.

The reduced agricultural productivity directly affects the livelihoods of rural communities. Lower yields and higher costs lead to a decrease in income of farmers, contributing to rural poverty.


Extension services and agricultural cooperatives can play a key role in this effort.

Reforming inheritance laws to allow for more flexible land distribution can help to reduce fragmentation. Policies that promote land leasing and cooperative farming can also provide alternatives to traditional land division. Investing in rural infrastructure, such as roads, irrigation systems, and storage facilities, can help to improve the efficiency and productivity of fragmented farms. Better infrastructure can reduce the costs associated with managing small plots and improve access to markets.

Land fragmentation is a complex issue with far-reaching implications for agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods in Pakistan. Addressing this challenge requires a multifaceted approach that includes policy reforms, education, and investment in infrastructure.

By taking proactive measures to reduce fragmentation and support small-scale farmers, we can improve agricultural productivity, enhance food security, and promote sustainable rural developmen
 
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