Quote:
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Originally Posted by Raz
Q:8 Inspite of strong research-base, rich lands, reasonable water-resources and various land-reforms, why agriculture sector remained less-developed in Pakistan?
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I played very well with this question. I did not borrow examiners hypothesis of strong research-base, even than I had to go in line with his approach. I had real examples in my mind about the agriculture research. I had in my mind the exact locations of these fields and farms. My visit to these places during my official tour helped me a lot. Valid references were in my mind for major agriculture product sites. Vehari, Arifwanla, Rahim Yar Khan, Faisalabad and some other parts of Sriaki belt. Mirpurkhas, Kazi Ahmed, Shadad Kot. Larkana, Khairpur, Therhi etc. Specialty of these areas and research base. (Cotton, Wheat, Rice, Bananas, Sugar Can, Date palm).
Further following factors were discussed in the answer:
No coordination among the research farms, reluctant sharing of research results and specialized seeds. Finance issues (Failure of ZTBL, Khushahli Bank, First Micro Finance Bank, Network micro finance Bank etc in finical inclusion. High intermediation cost, etc.
Market access issues, market pric issues, exploitation of farmers by the business groups, and Artiship culture in Mandis. Medicine, pesticide issues. Infrastructure and communication issues. Govt's lesser attention on agri, more attention towards service sector and mfg sector. Lesser agriculture culture in our society, lack of modern technology, ineffective land reforms (land distribution to influential groups). Lack of crop insurance schemes against natural calamities. Lack of initiatives in horticulture, fisheries etc. Ill-implemented live stock projects (ineffective monitoring and supervising teams, concensional clearance to the farmhouse owners for funds releasing from govt. per kata (1400). Vetniary doctors dishonesty while discharging their duties in these live stock projects, their absence of regular visits to live stock farms, absence of medicines etc. Ultimate failure of these projects to produce the desired meat and beef quantity.
Resource sharing issues, royalties sharing issues, extraction of resources issues, water distribution issues, water theft issues etc..................and bila bila......