Agriculture growth linked to Kalabagh Dam construction

LAHORE

Eradicating the farmers’ poverty is crucial for the agriculture sector growth of Pakistan while water shortage is growing seriously and to mitigate the issue construction of Kalabagh Dam should be announced immediately.

These views were expressed by experts in Jang Economic Session on ‘Future of agriculture of Pakistan – challenges and solutions’. The panellists were Dr Qais Aslam, Saad Akbar Khan, Hamid Malhi, Jamshaid Iqbal Cheema, and Rukhsana Zafar while hosted by Sikandar Lodhi.

Dr Qais Aslam said that ground water level was depleting fast and if the issue was not redressed food security would become a serious concern. He said agriculture sector should be prioritised for economic revival. He said food security of Pakistan was not more than 35 days which need to be increased while agriculture sector was adversely affecting with growing trend of housing societies so that conversion of agriculture land into commercial and housing should be discouraged. 

Saad Akbar Khan said that agriculture sector performance had improved after the facilities which also reduced the cost of production but more facilities were required for the sector. He said if the agriculture package was announced in March or April better impact could be possible on cotton crop while reduction in cotton crop losses could be expected this year. He called for long-term policies for agriculture sector.

Hamid Malhi said that irrigation problems were growing due to declining growing water level so that water availability should be ensured by constructing new dams and water storage. He said dams should be constructed and priority should be given on the basis of population and need basis. He said cotton and paddy crops issues were growing due to non-existence of government regulatory role on both crops. He said focus should be on farmers for the betterment of agriculture sector.

Jamshaid Iqbal Cheema said that fortunately Pakistan’s agriculture was performing well despite being in the list of fewer rainfall areas while agriculture productivity could enhance by more focusing on it. He called for extending the range of research as Pakistan’s population was rapidly growing and to reduce this pressure growth of agriculture sector was crucial. He said artificial price-hike in fruits and vegetables could be controlled through governance. He said research was required to mitigate the climate change impact on crops, and value addition in food products was required.

Rukhsana Zafar said construction of mega dams should be prioritised along with storing the rain and flood water to achieve better results. She said provision of certified seeds, and fertilizers should be the maiden responsibility of the government in provision of relief to farmers.