Islamabad: Analysts have praised the government for prioritizing the agricultural sector to bolster food security.
According to Radio Pakistan, Dr. Shafqat Munir, an economist, emphasized the importance of enhancing agricultural productivity, promoting value addition, and increasing exports of agricultural products. He highlighted the looming crisis of food insecurity in Pakistan and globally. Despite being an agriculturally based country, the recent Economic Survey of Pakistan revealed a six percent decline in food crops’ production, necessitating significant efforts to achieve sustainable agricultural yields.
Dr. Munir pointed out that the regional climate is consistent, yet neighboring countries achieve higher yields per hectare. He stressed the need for improved water usage and cultivation of high-value crops, especially those that are staple foods in Pakistan. The government is focusing on modernizing and mechanizing agriculture to feed the growing population. Dr. Munir suggested a shift from traditional methods to high-tech agricultural practices, emphasizing research on seeds to boost yields. With climate change causing water shortages, he advocated for introducing less water-consuming crop varieties and employing water-saving technologies like sprinklers.
Dr. Abid Gill, another economist, called for a comprehensive plan to ensure landowners’ prosperity. He highlighted the significance of land reforms, corporate agriculture, and mechanization in promoting agricultural growth. Dr. Gill noted that Pakistan ranks as the fifth most climate-affected country globally, and farmers often receive non-competitive prices due to middlemen exploitation. He stressed the need to ensure global competitive prices for agricultural yields to retain farmers in the profession. Dr. Gill also advocated for strengthening agricultural research institutions and establishing linkages with international counterparts. He pointed to the necessity of adopting new seeds and controlling the sale of substandard agricultural inputs to overcome stagnation in agricultural production.