Pakistan is an agricultural country. Agriculture is the backbone of the country’s economy. The agriculture sector generates 24 percent of the country’s GDP and 65 percent foreign exchange earnings through exports. Also, it provides employment to over 50 percent of the employed labour force and also ensures food security of the country. Unfortunately, the current state of this sector is deplorable. Increasing cost of inputs, persistent water shortage and low crop yields in many rural areas have forced traditional farmers to leave their traditional occupation and find alternate source of income in urban settlements.
Agricultural experts in the sector, keeping an eye over the changing weather patterns and impacts of climate change on agriculture and water sources, are of the view that this emerging trend indicates that farmers have come under pressure because of the unbearable cost of cultivation. Sometimes the input cost exceeds the earnings. For poor farmers, this situation is unacceptable. In view of the above, there is a strong need on the part of the government to formulate a comprehensive strategy to address the pressure farmers are facing because of the rising cost of agricultural inputs. This will help reduce the migration of farmers.
Khan Faraz (Peshawar)