Sustainable agriculture

Agriculture is the backbone of the country’s economy, accounting for around 21 percent of GDP and provides more than 50 percent of jobs. Agricultural growth in the country has varied, especially in the outgoing fiscal year. With limited chance of increasing land and water resources, future growth has to come largely from diversification in line with market demand and productivity increase. That will require major changes in systems, policies and institutions for agriculture. And the most important change required is to redefine the role of the government in the agriculture sector. According to 18th Amendment, agriculture has been devolved to the provinces but they have failed to introduce a new agricultural environment and food security policies. If steps are not taken on a war footing, the country will be compelled to spend billions of dollars on imports to feed its huge population.

In order to tackle rural poverty, there is a strong need to revisit priorities – through investment in research and technology to benefit the small landholders. Poverty can be fought by facilitating the farmers. There is also a need to activate the national food security regulatory authority. Similarly, the government must take steps for sustainable agriculture. It merits a mention that the global order is changing fast. And agriculture faces more and more changes. Therefore, the future of the sector and its contribution to the economy will depend on how it is positioned to meet the challenges of markets, both internal and external.

Khan Faraz

Peshawar