Though Pakistan is moving fast toward industrialization, the major share of the gross domestic product still comes from agrarian economy. Pakistan is one of the major exporters of food items in the world, including rice, grams, citrus fruit and many many other commodities. However, the country’s share in overall rice export has been declining as compared to other countries in the region, including India. The government in the neighbouring country not only supports its farmers and has bigger cultivation farmland, but it also focuses on research and development to get better quality yields. In Pakistan, inconsistent government policies, lack of research and old methods of cultivation have kept the agriculture sector at the lower ebb. The government support in every economic sector is minimal and all the business is running on the basis of individual efforts. As a result, every sector of the economy is facing challenges, including the export sector. The imports are increasing and the country is facing billions of dollars trade deficit, pushing the country toward another bailout programme from any international donor agency. It seems the policymakers in the country have failed to understand the dynamics of the modern economy.
As a matter of fact, the successive governments in Pakistan have failed to encourage the private sector to produce value added goods and all the focus of the officials remained on the export of food items. Ironically, best quality rice, fruit and vegetables of Pakistani origin are freely available at distant lands on nominal prices, but Pakistanis are unable to buy those commodities at home. Rice and mangoes are the worst example of food exports where the nation is deprived of best quality items at home. However, rice and mangoes are available at throwaway prices in Gulf States and European countries.
No doubt Pakistan has potential to produce quality food and increase per acre yield of rice, pulses, grams and other commodities. It can not only fulfill the local demand, but also feed the world. According to the United Nations, Pakistan could face food insecurity in future and most of the children in the country are still suffer from malnutrition. Unless the corporate sector takes interest in the agriculture sector, it is difficult to enhance per acre yield and launch research and development programmes. It is necessary that the policymakers minimize their reliance on the government funds and involve the private sector in programmes of economic development.
