Farmers’ fight

Awaran is one of the most backward districts of Balochistan. Many people in this region are living below the poverty line. Since there are no government jobs, unemployment remains rampant in the region. The only source of livelihood available to people is farming and agriculture. However this source of income is also not rewarding because the authorities concerned are not taking measures to uplift the agriculture sector of the region. Farmers are facing a great deal of problems. One of the major problems faced by farmers is related to borrowings. Many farmers borrow cash. The arrangement is such that instead of paying back the loan in cash, borrowers agree to give bags of crop to the lender. This way, the lender receives crops at a price that is drastically lower than the market price. This loan arrangement has taken a toll on the lives of people.

Farmers remain in debt for long and couldn’t be benefited from the crop production. What is even worse is that in case of flood and other natural disasters, the crop production is low because of which farmers cannot repay the loan. As a result, they sell whatever belongings they have to pay back the loan. An encouragement from the government in the shape of handsome loan can lessen their burden and strengthen their determination, and also free them from economic bandage.

Zafeer Ahmed Awarani (Awaran)