Agriculture and its influence in PakistanBy Shees, Hamza, Zohaib, Shoaib, Waleed and Shahzaib

ObjectivesAgriculture and its definitionAgriculture and its forms in PakistanCrops, Livestock and FishingMajor Cash Crops (Wheat, Rice, Cotton and Sugarcane)Role of agriculture in economic development of PakistanProblems of agriculture and and their solutionsModernization and Green Revolution

What does Agriculture mean?Agriculture is processing and cultivation of plants and crops for food and other byproducts. The major agricultural products can be broadly grouped into foods, fibers, fuels and raw materials.Agriculture was key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the development of much denser and more stratified societies.

Cultivation of crops on arable land and the pastoral herding of livestock on rangeland remain at foundation of agriculture.In 2007, one third of the world's workers were employed in agriculture. The services sector has overtaken agriculture as the economic sector employing the most people worldwide.

Agriculture in PakistanPakistan's principal natural resources are arable land and water.About 25% of Pakistan's total land area is under cultivation and is watered by one of the largest irrigation systems in the world.Pakistan irrigates three times more acres than Russia.Agriculture accounts for about 23% of GDP and employs about 44% of the labor force.

Forms of Agriculture in PakistanLivestockFishingCrops

LivestockThe livestock sector contributes about half of the value added in the agriculture sector, amounting to nearly 11 per cent of Pakistan's GDP.The world's fifth largest milk producing country and Asias largest camel market.

FishingFishery and fishing industry plays an important role in the national economy of Pakistan. With a coastline of about 814 km, Pakistan has enough fishery resources that remain to be fully developed. It is also a major source of export earning.

CropsThe most important crops are wheat, sugarcane, cotton, and rice.Pakistan's largest food crop is wheat.Pakistan exports rice, cotton, fish, fruits (especially Oranges and Mangoes), and vegetables, wheat, cotton, pulses and consumer foods.

Major cash cropsWheatRiceCottonSugarcane

WheatWheat is the most popular cash crop of Pakistan.We use wheat and its products in a number of ways.Wheat being the staple diet of most of the people of Pakistan it dominates all crops in acreage and production.It accounts for over 70 % of the gross cereals and over 36 % of the country's acreage is devoted to wheat cultivation.

RiceRice holds an important position among the cash crops of Pakistan.It fulfills the food requirements of our country but we also earn a lot of foreign exchange from its export.Besides it is an important raw material for manufacturing grain as well as its husk is also used as fodder for cattle.

CottonCotton is considered to be the most important cash crop of Pakistan.Pakistan ranks fifth in world cotton production.Cotton is also known as the "Silver Fiber".It is a wooly fiber surrounded around the seeds of the plant the longing to genus "Gossypium".

SugarcaneIt is a type of long grass "perennial" in nature.The first crop is called "plant cane" and the succeeding crops are called "Ratoon Crops".Although it is a plant oftropicalregions but it can also be cultivated in sub-tropicalareas.

Role of Agriculture in Economic Development of PakistanPakistan is agro-based country which means agriculture plays key role in economic development.It is food source for growing population of country.Agriculture supplies raw materials to industries.It employs more then 70% people directly or indirectly.It is major source of foreign exchange earning and capital formation.

Problems of AgricultureWater logging and salinityWater shortage / DroughtIrrigationLack of funds

Waterlogging and salinityIt is caused when the water table rises to 1.5 meter.Water evaporation leave salt on surface making land unproductive.Stagnant water then adversely effect the growth of plants.Solution: Install tubewells pump out extra and access water from agricultural land.Deploy drainage systems for control of water in farms.

Water shortage / DroughtIt is caused by poor irrigation system and unpredictable rainfall.Solution: Government should improve irrigation system.Take legal notice on stealing of water.Improve canals, dams and barrages.

Poor fertilizers and pesticidesThe quality of pesticides and fertilizers in Pakistan is poor.Although the available fertilizers and pesticides in Pakistan are out of reach of small farmers.Solution: Pakistani government should build chemical fertilizer and pesticide industries.Control price of of fertilizers.

Lack of fundsThe farmers in Pakistan are not financially strong to manage their cultivation.Improper loan system by government.Solution: Government should improve system of providing loan.Also help farmers to purchase machinery and acquire latest technology.

Modernization and Green RevolutionFarm mechanization is one of the packages of Green Revolution.Farm mechanization means the use of mechanical technology in the varied farming operations.This technology includes Chemical, Hydrological and Mechanical Technology.The policy has been framed to accelerate the pace of agricultural mechanization in the country.

ReferenceInfo:Google Search Engine,wikipedia, Pakistan studies (Ikram Rabbani)Images: Google images