UNIT#7

Agricultural development in Pakistan

Agriculture includes:

1- Types of crop farming in Pakistan.

2- How an agriculture system works
3- Types of crops
4- Processes of Cultivation for Cash Crops in Pakistan
5- Minor Crops in Pakistan
6- Fruit farming in Pakistan
7- Problems of Agriculture
8- Solutions to agricultural problems
9- Organic farming (sustainable farming)
10- Organic farming (sustainable farming)
11- How a livestock farming works
12- Types of livestock farming
13- Importance of livestock farming
14- Problems of livestock farming
15- Solutions to the problems of livestock farming
16- Land Reforms
 TYPES OF AGRICULTURE IN PAKISTAN
1- SUBSISTENCE FARMING Agriculture which is practiced to feed the family on a small
scale is called a subsistence farming. This type of farming may include family labour,
bullocks and carts and local / desi seeds varieties.

2- COMMERCIAL FARMING Agriculture which is practiced to earn profit or to be sold in the

market is called a Commercial farming. This type of farming include machineries like
tractors etc and HYV Seeds for better production.

3- CASH CROP FARMING Agriculture which is practiced to produce those crops which has
high demand is called Cash Crop farming. For e.g. Rice, Cotton, Wheat, Sugarcane,
Tobacco, Oil Seeds etc.

4- SUSTAINABLE FARMING This type of farming is practiced in such a way that the
resources are not exhausted like land and environment so that it could be used by our
future generations.
 AGRICULTURE AS A SYSTEM

INPUT/FACTORS PROCESSING OUTPUT

Natural Factors/Input
Weeding Removing
unwanted RICE
Soil
plants
Ploughing Making the
Climate soil soft WHEAT
Fertilizing Adding
fertilizer to
Type of Land increase COTTON
the fertility
Seeding Inserting
Rainfall seeds to
SUGARCANE
the soil
Irrigating Providing
water to
OILSEEDS
Human Factors/Input the plants
Nurturing Spraying
FACTORS SUBSISTENCE COMMERCIAL insecticides
and TOBACCO
Capital Minimum Maximum
Pesticides
Labour Unskilled/ Skilled Harvesting To cut the
Family plant from PULSES
Members the land
Machinery Animals Tractors/Threshers Threshing Separating
etc. the plant MILLETS
Water Rainfall, Canal System. from the
Resource rivers, lakes main crop
etc. Selling Selling as MAIZE etc
Seeds Local or desi High Yield Variety per the
(HYV). demand.
Fertilizers Cow dung Chemical/Urea
Insecticides Local DDT
/ Pesticides methods
Market Local International
 Types of crops
- There are two types of crops:

RABI CROPS KHARIF CROPS

Winter crops Summer crops

Oct-Nov is sowing period May-June is Sowing period

Harvested in May-June Harvested in Oct-Nov

Wheat, Tobacco etc are examples Cotton, Sugarcane etc are examples.

Processes of Cultivation for Cash Crops in Pakistan

Rice (Kharif Crop – carbohydrate rich crop)
Factors/Input:

Sowing: April – June

Harvesting: October – November
Land requirements: Undulated land so that the field could be flooded easily
Soil: loamy, clayey soil which should be water retentive to reduce infiltration
Climate: Temperature between 25°C – 30°C with ample amount of rainfall

PROCESSING:

Weeding: To remove the unwanted plants before sowing the rice seeds
Ploughing: Tractors are used to save time and labour while making the soil soft
Fertilizing: Nitrogenous Fertilizer (NPK) are used to fertile the land
Irrigating: The field is flooded with water completely.
Seeding: HYV Seeds like Irri Pak and Basmati are used for better quality and quantity.
Seeds are grown in nurseries (in small packets) till the plant is 9 inches tall. Once the
plant is ready it is then soaked in the flooded field. This process is known as Rice
Padding
Nurturing: DDT (Dichloro Diphenyl Trichloroethane) insecticides / pesticides are sprayed
to protect the plant from pests and insects
Harvesting: Rice plants are harvested by using combine harvesters and threshers. It is
then sent to rice mill where rice is polished for the change in appearance, taste and
texture, transforming brown rice into white rice.
Threshing: Husks are obtained during the threshing process which are used as an animal
fodder, covering roofs of houses after mixing it with water and mud, and to make
cardboards etc.

OUTPUT:
Rice is obtained which is considered Carbohydrate rich crop. It is also grown on Terrace
fields in Potwar Plateau and Northern Areas.

Wheat (rabi crop – staple/edible food)

Input/Factors:
Sowing: October - November
Harvesting: April – May
Land: Undulated land so that the excess water could be drained.
Soil: Stiff loamy soil which should allow excess water to infiltrate since wheat doesn’t
require more water during its cultivation.
Climate: Avg. Temperature between 20°C – 25°C with little amount of rainfall.

PROCESSING:
Weeding: To remove the unwanted plants before sowing the wheat seeds
Ploughing: Tractors are used to save time and labour while making the soil soft
Fertilizing: Nitrogenous Fertilizer (NPK) are used to fertile the land,
Seeding: HYV Seeds like Mexi Pak and Shah Khan are used for better quality and
quantity.
Irrigating: The field is irrigated twice. Once a month after sowing and second a month
before harvesting.
Nurturing: DDT (Dichloro Diphenyl Trichloroethane) insecticides / pesticides are sprayed
to protect the plant from pests and insects
Harvesting: Wheat plants are harvested by using combine harvesters and threshers.
Threshing: Wheat are threshed usually by throwing it in the air. Chaff is obtained during
the threshing process which are used as an animal fodder and making chipboards etc.

OUTPUT:
Wheat is obtained which is staple or edible crop.
 Cotton (Kharif – king of fiber)
Input/Factors:
Natural Input: Sowing: April – June
Harvesting: October - November
Land: Flat land which could be drained.
Soil: Medium loamy soil which should allow excess water to infiltrate
Climate: Avg. Temperature between 25°C – 30°C with ample amount of rainfall. Cotton
is sensitive to frost therefore the temperature of the area must be mild throughout the
cultivation (Leaf Curl Virus occurs as a disease if the required temperature drops during
its cultivation).
PROCESSING:
Weeding: To remove the unwanted plants before sowing the cotton seeds
Ploughing: Tractors are used to save time and labour while making the soil soft
Fertilizing: Nitrogenous Fertilizer (NPK) are used to fertile the land,
Seeding: HYV Seeds like Nayab and Sarmast Qalandari are used for better quality and
quantity.
Irrigating: The field is irrigated thrice. Once a month after sowing, secondly after 2
months and lastly a month before harvesting.
Nurturing: DDT (Dichloro Diphenyl Trichloroethane) insecticides / pesticides are sprayed
to protect the plant from pests and insects. Cotton is a sensitive crop and an easy target
for locust attack. (Fruit Shedding occurs as a disease in cotton plant due to locust)
Harvesting: Cotton plants are harvested manually by women since they are available as
a cheap labour and have soft hands to pluck the cotton ball.
Threshing: Cotton are threshed by separating lint and seeds from the plant known as
Ginning. Lint is used to tie the cotton bales whereas seeds are used to make edible oil
which could also be used in manufacturing cosmetics etc. After Ginning the cotton is
then spin to make thread and later it is weave to manufacture a fabric.

OUTPUT:
Cotton is obtained which also considered King of Fiber. It is inedible crop.
 Sugarcane (Kharif crop – thirsty crop)

Input/Factors:
Sowing: April – June
Harvesting: October - November
Land: Flat land which could be drained.
Soil: Loamy soil which should be rich in Potash.
Climate: Avg. Temperature between 25°C – 30°C with high amount of rainfall. Sugarcane
is considered as thirsty crop since they need an ample amount of water and they soak
nutrients from the soil.

PROCESSING:
Weeding: To remove the unwanted plants before sowing the sugarcane pallets.
Ploughing: Tractors are used to save time and labour while making the soil soft
Fertilizing: Nitrogenous Fertilizer (NPK) are used to fertile the land, Potash content in
the soil needs to be checked for better quality and quantity.
Seeding: HYV Seeds like JN-8 and Thatta-27 are used for better quality and quantity.
Irrigating: The field is irrigated usually on daily basis.
Nurturing: DDT (Dichloro Diphenyl Trichloroethane) insecticides / pesticides are sprayed
to protect the plant from pests and insects.
Harvesting: Sugarcane plants are harvested manually by cutting it from the 2nd or 3rd
node and leaving the left-over part in the ground known as Ratooning so that it could
again be harvested in the next seasons for 3 – 4 years. As soon, sugarcanes are
harvested; it has to be immediately transported to sugarcane industry which is
constructed near the cane farms as sugarcane started losing its sugar content and are
bulky to be carried.
Threshing: Sugarcanes are first scribbled with chalk to remove the dirt and smell. They
are then crushed to extract cane juice which is heated so that Brown Sugar, Gur and
White Sugar could be collected as the products. The left-over fiber is known as Bagasse’s
which is used as fuel in Sugar Industry or consumed as an animal fodder as the 1st by -
product. Whereas the left-over cane juice is known as Molasses which is used to make
synthetic fiber, iron supplements, huqqa and sheesha flavours etc. as the 2nd by –
product.

OUTPUT:
Sugar is the output in white and brown form.
 Processes of Cultivation for Minor Crops in Pakistan

Pulses (Rabi crop)

Input/Factor:
Sowing: October - November
Harvesting: April – May
Land: Flat land which could be drained.
Soil: Poorly fertile or sandy soil Climate: Avg. Temperature between 30°C – 35°C with
less rainfall.
Importance: Pulses are rich in protein and important in diet. However, pulses are grown
to fix the nitrogen level in the soil which helps in the production of other crops. That is
why they are used as crop rotation method. Some important types of pulses are Mash,
Maung, Masoor, Gram etc.

Maize (Kharif crop)

Input/Factor:
Sowing: April – June
Harvesting: October - November
Land: Flat land which could be drained.
Soil: Poorly fertile or sandy soil
Climate: Avg. Temperature between 25°C – 30°C with less rainfall.
Importance: Maize are used to extract edible oil, custard powder, corn flour etc. and are
also used as an animal fodder.
Millets (Kharif crop)

Input/Factors:
Sowing: April – June
Harvesting: October - November
Land: Flat land which could be drained.
Soil: Poorly fertile or sandy soil
Climate: Avg. Temperature between 25°C – 30°C with less rainfall.
Importance: Millets (Jowar & Bajra) are used as an animal fodder especially in poultry
farming.
 Oil seeds (rabi crop)
Input/Factors:
Sowing: October - November
Harvesting: April – May
Land: Flat land which could be drained.
Soil: Poorly fertile or sandy soil
Climate: Avg. Temperature between 25°C – 30°C with less rainfall.
Importance: Oil seeds are used to extract edible oil. Some of its types are mustard, rai,
castor seeds and sunflower etc.

Tobacco (Rabi crop)

Input/Factors:
Sowing: October - November
Harvesting: April – May
Land: Flat land which could be drained.
Soil: Poorly fertile or sandy soil
Climate: Avg. Temperature between 25°C – 30°C with less rainfall.
Importance: Tobacco is used to manufacture cigarettes and cigars etc.

FRUIT FARMING
- Fruit farming is an important source of earning in Pakistan. Fruit farming has been an
important source of earning foreign exchange and fortunately the fruits of Pakistan are
famous throughout the world. Fruits are valued as protective food and are very rich
source of minerals and vitamins. Demand for fruits in Pakistan has been increasing due
to changes in consumption pattern and population growth. A large variety of tropical,
sub-tropical and temperate fruits are cultivated in the country.
- Following are the types of fruits present in Pakistan
1- TROPICAL FRUITS These fruits are usually grown in summer. Sindh and Punjab are
the main areas for growing Tropical Fruits.
2- SUB – TROPICAL FRUITS These fruits are usually grown throughout the year. Sindh
and Punjab are the main areas for growing Sub – Tropical Fruits.
3- TEMPERATE FRUITS These fruits are usually grown in winter. KPK and Azad Kashmir
are the main areas for growing Temperate Fruits. Examples: Mangoes, Dates and
Watermelons etc. Examples: Banana and Citrus Fruits etc. Examples: Apples, Apricot
and Almonds etc.
 PROBLEMS OF AGRICULTURE

Agriculture department in Pakistan faces a lot of problems due to the commercial

farming practices. Commercial processes create many problems. Following are the
problems.
WEEDING: Weeds are small plants which are removed before farming any crop. But
these weeds also provide nutrients to the soil.
PLOUGHING: Tractors with heavy ploughs are used to soften the soil but these ploughs
mixed the soil layers and hence the fertility decreases.
SEEDING: HYV seeds are used to increase the quality and quantity but these seeds are
hungry seeds and hence they soak all the minerals from the soil which results in adding
more fertilizers.
IRRIGATION: Water is needed by every crop but continuous irrigation on a land
increases the underground water table which may lead to Waterlogging and Salinity
problem.
FERTILIZATION: Nitrogenous Fertilizers were added to increase the fertility of the soil
but when the fields are drained these fertilizers mixes with water bodies and produces
algae over the surface of water which blocks the sunlight and oxygen level. This process
is known as Eutrophication which results in decreased marine life.
NURTURING: Insecticides and pesticides were used to protect the plant against pests
and insects but once sprayed these chemical increases air pollution and sometimes
mixes with the crop. Upon eating these chemicals reduces the immunity system in
humans.
HARVESTING / THRESHING: Harvesters and Threshers were used to fasten the process
and reduce the labour cost but since these machineries run on diesel they emit soot
which results in Air Pollution.

Solutions to agricultural problems

- The agriculture sector throughout the world has found the solution to all the above
mentioned problems.
- Genetically Modified Seeds (GM Seeds) have been introduced which are also known as
drought and pest resistant seeds. GM Seeds not only produces high quantity of yield but
are also immune to pest attacks which means farmers will be free from the additional
cost of Insecticides and Pesticides.
- These seeds doesn’t require much water and can also grow in poor soil. Therefore, the
cost of adding fertilizer will be reduced too.
- Moreover, in Pakistan the government should reinstate that the Agricultural
Development Bank of Pakistan (ADBP) and Zarai Taraqiati Bank Ltd. (ZTBL) must ensure
to grant loans to the poor farmers in Pakistan so that they could increase the crop
production in the country.
- Following steps must also be taken to reduce the problems of agriculture department in
Pakistan:
1- Supply of Agricultural Credit
2- Water logging and Salinity Control (SCARP)
3- Construction of Dams
4- Provision of HYV Seeds (Though GM – Seeds are very costly)
5- Mechanization
6- Agricultural Research
7- Agro – based Industries
8- Tax and Interest Concession
9- Training of Farmers
10- Prices of Agricultural Products.

Organic farming (sustainable farming)

- GM Seeds are very expensive.
- Therefore, Organic farming is an alternative method to boost the agricultural yield in a
sustainable way so that environmental damage could be minimized.
- These methods involve the following processes:
1- Crop Rotation: This method is carried out by using pulses as an ingredient which
provides nitrogen to the soil. Since pulses are nitrogen fixing crop. Moreover, a
farmer must grow different types of crops on the same land to reduce soil erosion
and increase the fertility of the soil.
2- Fallow Land: This method could be used in small farms. A farmer must not grow any
crop on the land for every alternate year so that the land could re-gain its fertility
back.
3- Shifting Cultivation: This method could be used on large farms. A farmer must divide
its land into two and grow his crops on one part of it and leave the other part of the
land as fallow. After 2 – 3 years he must use the fallow land to grow crops and
abandoned the used part of the land so that the land could regain its fertility.
4- Use of Urea: The use of processed fertilizer or urea will boost the agricultural yield in
the same way as it is done by using nitrogenous fertilizers. Using processed fertilizers
or urea does not create Eutrophication problem in water.

TYPES OF LIVESTOCK FARMING IN PAKISTAN

1- NOMADIC LIVESTOCK FARMING: This type of livestock farming usually takes place in
deserts where live stockers wandered the areas throughout the year in search of
water and pasture for their cattle.
2- SEMI NOMADIC OR TRANSHUMANCE LIVESTOCK FARMING: This type of livestock
farming usually takes place in mountainous regions where live stockers migrate
twice a year. Once in winter when they move to lowlands to be protected from cold
 and the second in summer when they move back to highlands in search of water and
pasture for their cattle.

3- SETTELED LIVESTOCK FARMING: This type of livestock farming usually takes place in
plain areas (lowlands) where there is an ample amount of water in the form of river
and large grazing lands. These live stockers doesn’t migrate at any cost. Their cattle
may include cows, goats, camels and poultry etc. Their cattle may include yak, dzu
and sheep etc. Their cattle may include cow, buffaloes, goats, poultry etc.
LIVESTOCK AS A SYSTEM

Breeding To obtain
good
PROCESSING quality and OUTPUT
INPUT/FACTORS
NATURAL INPUT quantity of
livestock
HUMAN INPUT Feeding To keep
the cattle
healthy MILK/EGGS
Climate
Caring To
FACTORS SUBSISTENCE COMMERCIAL vaccinate
Capital Mininmum Maximum the cattle
Availability of Land MEAT
Breed Unskilled/ Family Skilled to prevent
Members them from
Machinery Animals Milk Suction diseases
Plant. Milking To meet LEATHER
Water Rainfall, rivers, Canal System. the
availability lakes etc. demand of
Foods Grazing Area Processed the prople HIDES
(Shamilat) Foods Irrigating Providing
Labour Family Members Skilled water to
the cattles WOOL etc
Shearing To provide
wool to
industries
Selling Selling as
per the
demand.
 Importance of Buffalo Farming
- Buffalo farming is usually practiced in settled lifestyle to meet the milk demand of the
area (city).
- Buffaloes like to spend most of their time in water so as to lower down their body
temperature, as these animals are good for producing many types of milk, meat and
skin products.
- Moreover, the buffaloes are also used for producing dairy products like butter and ghee
etc.
- Buffalo milk is of very good quality containing high amount of fat and protein. That is
why buffalo farming is practiced throughout Pakistan (Indus Plains).
- Some of the famous breeds are Nili, Kundi and Ravi etc.

Importance of GOAT Farming

- Goats and Sheeps are referred as Sure – Footed animals since they can survive in almost
all the climatic conditions including mountains.
- Their hoofs are designed in such a way that they can climb steep mountains easily.
- Goats are also termed as Nibblers as they continuously graze the fields which may cause
soil erosion. That is why goat farming is not appreciated by the govt. of Pakistan.
- Somehow raising stall – fed goats are not condemned by the government because these
goats are reared on processed fodder and they don’t graze in the open lands called
Shamilat (a land with pasture – naturally grown grass).
- Goats are raised for many different products such as milk, meat skin, fiber etc.
- Both meat and milk of goat are delicious, nutritious and considered good for human
health.
 Stall-Fed Goat

Importance of Poultry Farming

- With increasing population, eggs and chicken are largely being consume.
- Poultry farming is within the reach of small businessmen and they can make investment.
- It is source of income for both the people, urban & rural.
- This practice is considered best to meet protein supply demand.
- The two types of poultry available in Pakistan are Desi and Broiler Hens.

Importance of livestock farming.

- Livestock farming contributes to 9% of the GDP and 37% to the agricultural sector.
- Following are some importance of livestock farming:
1- Important source of food for people.
2- Provide meat, milk, butter, ghee and other dairy products.
3- Animals are used as draft power on the farms.
4- Earn foreign exchange which formed 5.3% of the overall export of Pakistan
5- Responsible for supplying 15% of total household energy in the form of dung.
6- Contributes in the production of organic fertilizer.
7- Provide raw material for the industrial output.

Problems of livestock farming

- Following are some of the problems associated with the livestock farming in Pakistan:
 1- The availability of green fodder is not sufficient. It may create nutritional deficiency
in animals.
2- Lack of knowledge and awareness about the productive benefits of disease control.
Vaccination and treatment for the animals was generally ignored by the livestock
farmers.
3- Pakistan has primitive breeds with low genetic potential. The breeds with best
potential such as Sahiwal cow and Nili Buffaloes are rarely found.
4- Pure breeds are in fact in danger. There is need to save and exploit the genetic
potential of the high yielding breeds.
5- To establish the modern livestock farms, it needs huge investment.
6- Unlike crop sector, livestock sector required more capital. It restricts poor farmer
from participating in the livestock farming.
7- Poor marketing system is also a significant constraint in the animal productivity.

Solutions to the problems of livestock farming

- Following are some of the solutions to the problems of livestock farming in Pakistan:
1- Selective breeding and cross breeding programs for better quality animals.
2- Programmes to fatten cows for milk and meat
3- Control of diseases and better animal husbandry (a walled area where cows are kept
to be safe from climatic changes) must be practiced.
4- Improvement in vaccination facilities.
5- Improvement in Livestock Research Farms.
 RICE PLANT

WHEAT PLANT
 COTTON PLANT

SUGARCANE FIELD

BAGASSE (by Product of Sugarcane)

MOLASSES (by Product of Sugarcane)

COTTON LEAF-CURL VIRUS

TOBACCO LEAF
TERRACE FARMING IN GILGIT-BALTISTAN (CHILLAS)