Arooj Zulfiqar

Pakistan’s Balochistan province has a huge potential to become a granary for Pakistan besides its reputation as the country’s fruit basket if the government focuses on human resources and infrastructure development. In order to attain sustainability, self-sufficiency, and agricultural splendour, the department of agriculture needs to develop its vision while taking into account the potential of the province.

Secretary General Balochistan Zamindar (farmers) Action Committee Haji Abdul Rahman Bazai said while talking to WealthPK that Balochistan being the largest province in Pakistan, comprising 44% of its land area, has a significant agricultural sector. However, the agricultural evaluation in the province is in dire need of capacity building to boost production and the sector’s overall efficiency.

“Lack of adequate technical expertise and infrastructure has resulted in a reduction in the productivity of the agriculture sector, making it less competitive in the global market,” he said. Bazai said the Balochistan government should focus on human resource and infrastructure development to provide the necessary technical skills and improve basic facilities for farmers.

“The success of this capacity-building initiative will rely on the collaboration between the government, private sector, and development organisations,” he added. Bazai said there is a dire need to develop comprehensive training programs that will provide farmers, extension workers, and other stakeholders with the necessary technical skills and knowledge to improve agricultural practices. He said training programs must also emphasise the use of technology to enhance productivity and sustainable farming practices.

“Infrastructure development is also required; therefore, we need to build basic facilities, including irrigation systems, water storage facilities, and warehouses for storing agricultural produce,” he added. He also said there should be a concerted effort to improve the rural road network to make it easier to transport agricultural goods from farms to markets. He said the development of these infrastructure projects will help improve the productivity and efficiency of agricultural production.

“To achieve these goals, there must be a partnership between the government, private sector, and development organisations. The government should provide an enabling environment for private sector investment in the agricultural sector, especially in the areas of infrastructure development,” he emphasised. Bazai said development organisations should collaborate with the government and the private sector to provide technical support and financial resources to farmers and other stakeholders.

In this regard, Federal Minister of Science and Technology Agha Hasan Baloch has announced the implementation of a 40-million-euro plan for the development of water resources, livestock, and agriculture in 18 districts of Balochistan with assistance from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). As part of the plan, 30,000 tube wells will be converted to solar energy to address the energy crisis, resulting in annual savings that will be used for health, education, and other development projects.

The minister said that due to very small number of industries and factories in Balochistan, the majority of local people are involved in the agriculture and livestock sector. Agha highlighted the challenges faced by the agriculture and livestock sector in Balochistan due to the lack of adequate facilities, which has led to poverty. He also advocated building dams to prevent water loss during floods.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk