Pakistan - Agriculture



Pakistan Agriculture 1140
Photo by: A-L-N-O-O-R

Agriculture is a vital sector of Pakistan's economy and accounted for 25.9 percent of GDP in 1999-2000, according to government estimates. The sector directly supports three-quarters of the country's population, employs half the labor force , and contributes a large share of foreign exchange earnings. The main agricultural products are cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane, fruits, and vegetables, in addition to milk, beef, mutton, and eggs. Pakistan depends on one of the world's largest irrigation systems to support production. There are 2 principal seasons. Cotton, rice, and sugarcane are produced during the kharif season, which lasts from May to November. Wheat is the major rabi crop, which extends from November to April. The key to a much-needed improvement of productivity lies in a more efficient use of resources, principally land and water. However, change is dependent on the large landowners who own 40 percent of the arable land and control most of the irrigation system, which makes widespread reform difficult. Assessments by independent agencies, including the World Bank, show these large landholdings to be very unproductive. Pakistan is a net importer of agricultural commodities. Annual imports total about US$2 billion and include wheat, edible oils, pulses, and consumer foods.

Pakistan is one of the world's largest producers of raw cotton. The size of the annual cotton crop—the bulk of it grown in Punjab province—is a crucial barometer of the health of the overall economy, as it determines the availability and cost of the main raw material for the yarn-spinning industry, much of which is concentrated around the southern port city of Karachi. Official estimates put the 1999-2000 harvest at some 11.2 million 170-kilogram bales, compared with the 1998-99 outturn of 8.8 million bales and the record 12.8 million bales achieved in 1991-92. The government recently actively intervened in the market to boost prices and to encourage production. A major problem is that the cotton crop is highly susceptible to adverse weather and pest damage, which is reflected in crop figures. After peaking at 2.18 million tons in 1991-92, the lint harvest has since fluctuated considerably, ranging from a low of 1.37 million tons in 1993-94 to a high of 1.9 million tons in 1999-2000.

The 2000-01 wheat crop was forecast at a record 19.3 million tons, compared to 17.8 million tons produced during the previous year. This increase is due largely to favorable weather and a 25-percent increase in the procurement price to about US$135 per ton. About 85 percent of the crop is irrigated. Despite the record production, Pakistan will continue to be a major wheat importer. The government has imported an average of US$2.4 million annually over the past 5 years. The United States and Australia are the major suppliers. Demand for wheat is increasing from Pakistan's rapidly growing population as well as from cross-border trade with Afghanistan.

Pakistan is a major rice exporter and annually exports about 2 million tons, or about 10 percent of world trade. About 25 percent of exports is Pakistan's famous fragrant Basmati rice. Rice is Pakistan's second leading source of export earnings. Private traders handle all exports. Pakistan's main competitors in rice trade are Thailand, Vietnam, and India.

Tobacco is grown mainly in the North-West Frontier Province and Punjab and is an important cash crop . Yields in Pakistan are about twice those for neighboring countries largely due to the extension services provided by the industry. Quality, however, is improving only slowly due to problems related to climate and soil. Farmers have started inter-cropping tobacco with vegetables and sugarcane to increase returns. About half of the total production is used for cigarette manufacturing and the remainder used in traditional ways of smoking (in hand-rolled cigarettes called birris, in water pipes, and as snuff). The share of imported tobacco is increasing gradually in response to an increased demand for high-quality cigarettes.

Minor crops account for only 5 percent of total cultivated area; these include oilseeds (sunflower, soybean), chilies, potatoes, and onions. Domestic oilseed production accounts only for about 25 percent of Pakistan total edible oil needs. As a result, Pakistan spends more than US$1 billion annually in scarce foreign exchange to import edible oils, while its oilseed processing industry operates at less than 25 percent of capacity due to an inadequate supply of oilseeds. For 2000-01 total oilseed production was forecast to decrease 10 percent to 3.6 million tons. The government has highlighted development of the oilseed sector as a priority.

Pakistan's fishing industry is relatively modest, but has shown strong growth in recent years. The domestic market is quite small, with per capita annual consumption of approximately 2 kilograms. About 80 percent of production comes from marine fisheries from 2 main areas, the Sindh coast east from Karachi to the Indian border, and the Makran coast of Baluchistan. Ninety percent of the total marine catch is fish; the shrimp which constitute the remainder are prized because of their greater relative value and demand in foreign markets. During 1999-00, total fish production was 620,000 tons, of which 440,000 tons consisted of sea fish and the remainder were fresh-water species. About one-third of the catch is consumed fresh, 9 percent is frozen, 8 percent canned, and about 43 percent used as fish meal for animal food.

Livestock accounts for 40 percent of the agricultural sector and 9 percent of the total GDP. Principal products are milk, beef, mutton, poultry, and wool. During 1999, the livestock population increased to 120 million head. That same year Pakistan generated 970,000 tons of beef, 640,000 tons of mutton, and 190,000 tons of poultry. In an effort to enhance milk and meat production, the government recently launched a comprehensive livestock development project with Asian Development Bank assistance. Poultry production provides an increasingly popular low-cost source of protein. Modern poultry production is constrained by high mortality, high incidence of disease, poor quality chicks, and poor quality feed, combined with an inadequate marketing system. Frozen poultry have only recently been introduced.

Forests cover an area of 4.2 million hectares or about 5 percent of the total area of Pakistan. The principal forest products are timber, principally for house construction, furniture, and firewood. Many of the country's wooded areas are severely depleted as a result of over-exploitation. The government has restricted cutting to protect remaining resources—though corruption often jeopardizes environmental efforts—and has lowered duties to encourage imports. Forestry production has since declined from 1.07 million cubic meters in 1990-91 to 475,000 cubic meters in 1998-99. Pakistan imports an estimated US$150 million of wood products annually to meet the requirements of a growing population and rising demand by a wealthy elite.

User Contributions:

A comprehensive overview of Pakistan's agriculture. Nice effort.
VERY INFORMATIVE OVERVIEW OF PAKISTAN 'S AGRICLTURE.
Hi,
I am a higher degree student in uk and working on pesticides in Pakistan.
I would be very thank ful if you please give some information regarding a AGRICULTURAL PESTS IN PAKISTAN.(just a list would be enough for me).
Regards,
Novera.R.Humayoon
VERY GOOD STRUGLE REGARDING AGRICULTURE INFORMATION IN PAKISTAN.
5
Ivan
Very good overview. But have you more updated information?
6
Ian
Nice effort.! There is a lot of vital information given in this comprehensive overview of Pakistan's agriculture.
hi its a good article i get alot of information from it
8
fatima shahid
you should have a bit more information i mean this is the basic stuff but very good article ^_^
ITS VERY GOOD FOR ALL STUDENTS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN PAKISTAN'S AGRICULTURE
NICE EFFORTS RELATED WITH BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT PAKISTAN`S AGRICULTURE.
I liked the web site very much.I am now gong to be student of 8 class(2011).I hope in my new class it will solve my difficulties in social studies questions.Keep providing the education to the students of best Pakistan.
kindly help me to collect agricultural notes
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Very informative, Basically I am a cattle farmer and wants assessment in providing me a biological advantages of those food which are preferable for cows and goats.

Regards,
Osaja Rizvi.
I,m studying in Army Public School (COD)Karachi in class VIII.I like this information because it help in my project in the subject of biology and i want to know about agriculture universities in pakistan
Agricultural scientists are trying well for the boost of this sector bur our illiterate policy makers and foolish leaders are a great hindrance.

May Allah secure our Pakistan
good fatigue for providing agriculture information...
Hi,
I am Ph.D student in NAU, China. Urs supplied information are admirable and it will be more better that, if you add the latest reports of FAO as well as FAOSTAT.
it realy help us in finding information and give us uneque information
this information is very helpful in my studies career and making my project abt agriculture.i did M.A in econonics.
20
ansarshah
It give us unique information and correct details quickly.
Can after completing of B.Sc agriculture hons we get job
This is a really informative article... i like it and also got some information from it.
if any one know the ans of the below question then plz send me via my e mail
why we grow Rice in waterlogged condiotion?
Hi, I am Jaleel Ahmed Hakro, Student of PhD Plant Breeding & Genetics, I will want latest information about the Cotton Post Harvesting technology, I have expected you immediate provide me latest information... ?

Regards

Jaleel Ahmed Hakro
Student of PhD
24
SeungCho
I'm a student conducting a research for our school project.. wow this helped me a lot and our team mates. thanks!! very informative and I like the way how you classified it
25
Maqsood Ahmad
latest data on acreage of wheat, sugarcane, maize, rice & cotton in Pakistan,
26
mohammad ali
Good accurate knowledge share about Pakistan agriculture
27
rehab
its a very informative overview
knowledgeable page
28
Afreen
Nice effort! Your information is very informative.
29
Afreen
A very nice article. Everyone should share his or her information like this because it helps others as well as it increases their knowledge. And in Quran also sharing information with others is Sadqa-e-Jaarya
30
Hamda
This is really a great article and this is really informative for all of as
Its a very nice and informative article. It helps me a lot in completing my assignment. Thanks a lot !
32
Khadeeja
Lovely information on Agriculture!It helps me complete my power point presentation!Thank YOU NATION ENCYCLOPEDIA!!!
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muhammad sabir khawaja multan
it is very informative we should gain information and share it with others.
34
Calvin Ryu
Good information got me a lot of notes.

Calvin Ryu
Student of Standford University
35
Waleed Chatta
This is a very informative article but you had some mistakes in it. One thing I noticed was that you said "Pakistan was a major importer." This term is used incorrectly, it should have been written that "Pakistan is a major exporter." I understand that my criticism may seem harsh but all I want is to clear up the info. in this article so people don't misinterpret it.
36
Naimat Ali
very nice information about agriculture of pak .,.,.Thank you
37
izza fatima
it is really imformative and it helps me in geography project THANKS
It is really informative article. I'm the student of B.S Economics (Hons) in Govt. College Women University Sialkot. I like this info & using it in my assignment "Agriculture sector in Pakistan".
GOOD ACCURATE KNOWLEDGE SHARE ABOUT PAKISTAN AGRICULTURE.
THANK you.
39
imran luck
I have got alot information About agriculture of pakistan
thanx very much..
40
Abdul Jabbar Khan MH
Abdul Jabbar Khan 21 Kb Qaboola
Gandum ki Bhtareen Kasht Krnay Kisaan
41
farah farooq
This is a nice information and i want to make it a part of my thesis.so i have need of references of this material so that i can use this in my thesis.Thank you.
42
shahzeib
Hey this is some useful information I am writing a thesis are there any references related to this. And do you have any other useful information related to agriculture.
Very useful information about agriculture Pakistan. Pakistan an agricultural country, There is more need to promote this sector. It generates more revenue, GDP and source of employment.
44
Hafeez
Hi,I am hafeez .
Would you please tell me the name of aritical publisher and date of publish ???
As soon as possible .
45
taj
Its a very informative article i have got a lot of information from this article
46
ansar adnan
Great effort!! You write a very informative article on Pakistan agriculture. I request to you please write on the importance of agriculture among youth.
47
zohaib siddique
what is ariculture growth in pakistan 2000 to 2018

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