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Four lines on the importance of agriculture in the economy of Pakistan
Pakistan as an agricultural country essay
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Agriculture is the lynchpin in the economy of Pakistan and 67% population of this country is living in rural areas with more than 60% earning their bread and butter directly or indirectly through this sector. Pakistan is also blessed with integrated and largest irrigation system of Pakistan serving approximately 18 million hectare of cultivated land. The water of the Indus River and its principal tributaries (Kabul, Swat, and Kunar from the West, Jehlum, Chanab, from the East) feed this system. Thus the reliance of Pakistan agriculture Pakistan on this irrigated system as more than 80 percent of agricultural output comes from irrigated farms. Likewise, 40% of the world’s food supply is produced on the irrigated land (Johnson III 1995). However, canal water is a critical input for agricultural productivity and it’s inadequate and non-availability at critical stages of the crop is forcing farmers devoid of timely application on inputs resulting considerable reduction in yields. It is also apt to mention that agriculture uses 95% of water in Pakistan compared to domestic or industrial usage (Bhatti et al., 2009). The requirement of Water in Agriculture was 149 Million Acre Feet in 2000 and 215 MAF in 2013 and will rise to 277 Million Acre Feet in the year 2025. This situation warrants for immediate action as further deterioration will be suicidal and can harm the federal fabric of this country as well.
The other most important factor is less receipt of rains to meet crop requirements to harvest according to potential, therefore, without adequate supplies of irrigation water large areas of Pakistan can’t produce on sustainable basis (Mohuyddin and Tarique, 2008). So, per drop productivity is needed to be explored and over and under ir...
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...t. The constraints which are compounded by the complexity size and limitations of Pakistan’s canal irrigation systems and the social institutional and managerial implications related to their operations. Pakistan’s National Commission on Agriculture noting these problems specifically recommended that plans should be developed on the basis of results from pilot studies for the distribution of irrigation supplies more in line with crop water requirements in different canal commands. Based on above submissions a study has been planned “To study some Constraints in the Implementation of Demand Based Irrigation System in LCC Punjab, Pakistan” has been taken to assess the constraints in the implementation of Demand Base Irrigation System in LCC by getting some ground realities related to these areas climatic factors and some other issue from a farmer’s point of view.
Water shortage in arid and semi-arid regions and declining its availability to a crisis ...
Most of water consumed in China is not rationally used. The cause which intensifies the water shortage in China is water inefficient use. For instance, 65%-70% of Chinese water usage is spent on agricultural needs, but more than half of this amount evaporates percolates and loses (Roberts 2009). Besides, majority of another 20%-25% which is occupied by China’s industry is not recycled (Brown 2008a, 16; Roberts 2009). Obviously, improving water distribution technologies and management quality can be one of the options to reduce the water scarcity in China. There are many different methods of improving the water distribution efficiency. Firstly, irrigation technologies should be improved. Farmers in China may use drip and shrink irrigation methods instead of traditional “surface” ones such as furrow and flood irrigation. Drip irrigation method is used mostly in arid and semi-arid zones and it increases the efficiency of irrigation by transporting the water directly to the roots of irrigated plant. The emitters sprinkle the soil under the roots with water which is introduced to the plant by pipes, diminishing water evaporation, deep percolation and leak. In contrast, fur...
...creased rainfall and increased temperature in the western part of Central Asia such as Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan leading to the scarcity of water which directly heats the agriculture and livestock production. The estimating consequences from the precipitation and temperature change on the production of food are the potential changes in variability and extreme events like droughts, heat waves, sand storms and heavy rainfall. Increased surface runoff in the mountainous regions accelerates the land slides, soil erosion and floods which have huge capability to destroy the crops.
In 1970, East Pakistan, about the size of Wisconsin, had a substantial population of 66 million, meaning that each square kilometer holds about 400 people (Disaster 174). It is located precisely where two large river systems, the Ganges and the Brahmaputra, unite to form the biggest delta in the world, the Ganges River Delta. A delta is a triangular deposit of sediment at the mouth of a river, naturally where it diverges. The two rivers conduct silt from as far as the Himalayas to the floodplains of Bangladesh, which are about 1,200 miles apart. Being one of the world’s most fertile croplands, the floodplain is densely populated. Farmers are forced to move farther and farther out into the delta, triggering them to face the perilous monsoon season, which is from June to October. One third of East Pakistan is no more than twenty feet above sea level, maximizing the death toll of life-threatening storms (History 3). The a...
Water Issues in South Asia If there is any single most important issue that mars bilateral relations among the countries of the subcontinent, it is water. The issues of cross-border water distribution, utilisation, management and mega irrigation/hydro-electric power projects affecting the upper and lower riparian countries are gradually taking centre-stage in defining interstate relations as water scarcity increases and both drought and floods make life too often miserable. Thanks to its location, size and contiguous borders with other South Asian countries, it is India, in its capacity as both upper and lower riparian, that has come into conflict with most of its neighbours, except Bhutan, on the cross-border water issues. Given an atmosphere of mistrust, an upper riparian India has serious issues to resolve with lower riparian Pakistan and Bangladesh and, despite being lower riparian, with the upper riparian Nepal.
Poverty is one of the primary concerns the world faces in its road to development. Eradication of poverty tends to be the prime aims of governments worldwide. Lack of proper nutrition is a major cause contributing to poverty. Improving agricultural standards can help in producing more food and thus counter the lack of food factor. One way to improve agricultural standards is to develop the irrigation methods used. Irrigation is closely related to poverty. Irrigation benefits the poor through higher production, higher yields, low risk of crop failure and higher and year round farm and non-farm employment. Irrigation leads to high value market oriented agricultural production [1]. However, in developing countries like India, the agricultural sector is heavily dependent on the south-west monsoons. In view of the rising temperatures worldwide due to global warming and changes of weather patterns associated with it, dependence on rains is not always a possible solution. Failure of proper rains can cripple the agricultural sector which can lead to an overall rise in poverty. Thus...
The aridity maps was prepared by using De Martonne’s Aridity Index, Thornthwaite’s Precipitation Effectiveness Index, Thornthwaite’s Moisture Index, UNESCO Aridity Index and Erinc Aridity Index. These indices showed that most of the southern parts of the country lie between arid to hyper arid where as northern parts lie between semi arid to very humid zone (Fig-3). Analysis shows the climate of northern parts is more variable as compare to southern parts. The reason in the variability of the climate in the northern parts is that this region received rainfall in summer due to monsoon systems (July to September) and in winter due to western disturbances (December to March). Southern parts of the country receive most of the rainfall in monsoon season while a meager amount of rainfall in winter. This monsoonal rainfall brings relief to moisture stress to some extent but due to low elevation, higher evapotranspiration and day time temperature, dry climate exists through out the year. Therefore, agriculture activity does not depend on rainfall and proper irrigation is required in the form of canals, river and tube wells. Although, monsoon rainfall bring relief to overcome the moisture stress to some extent. However after that it makes difficult for the agricultural to sustain in this climate.
In Genesis 1:29, God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.” From the beginning God has given us food for life. Plants, meats, trees, and fruits are offered to us as a means of sustenance from the very same God who made them long ago.
The agriculture of Pakistan constitutes the largest sector of the economy. It accounts for 24% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and it employs around 48.5% of the labor force (Pakistan Bureau of Statistics 2017). About 61.24% population lives in rural areas (World Bank 2016) where directly or indirectly their livelihood depends upon agriculture sector. The agriculture sector is responsible for ensuring food availability to the fast growing population but struggles to attain food security. Unfortunately, the agriculture sector faces many threats and challenges
There are countless sources of water pollutions that exist today due to our industrious and technologically advanced lifestyles. However, the most vexing is caused by the most basic necessity for survival, Agricultural Pollution. Agricultural Pollution is defined as, “ liquid and solid wastes from all types of farming activities, including run-off from pesticide and fertilizer use, and from feedlots; erosion and dust from ploughing; animal manure and carcasses; and crop residues and debris. In essence Agricultural Pollution is a nonpoint source water pollutant since it comes from various locations and cannot be pinpointed” (EPA-web). Although there are many practices already in place that will decrease the pollution, increase productivity, and save farmers money in the long run, the farmers are careful to change practices.
The global population in the year 2050 is expected to be nine billion and the agricultural demand is expected to double. With the current population already over seven billion people, there are hunger issues all around the world (“New” par. 1). How are we going to deal with food shortages in the future? With less land to work with, strains on the soils, and the lack of water, it is getting harder for the farmers of the world to support our growing population. These complications are making it harder for farmers to produce quality, affordable food. To help the crops grow better, farmers use fertilizers and chemical sprays to enhance growth and control the weeds. Farming in the United States is a relevant business because it supplies people with food, provides people with jobs maintaining the used equipment with the new equipment being much more expensive, and it provides research for more efficient ways on how to feed the world.
The problem of water scarcity has increasingly spread throughout the world as of yet, The UN reports that within the next half- century up to 7 billion people in 60 countries which is more than the whole present population will face water scarcity (Sawin “Water Scarcity could Overwhelm the Next Generation”). As well the demand for freshwater has tripled over the past 50 years, and is continuing to rise as a result of population growth and economic development. 70% of this demand derives from agriculture which shows the influence of water on food supply globally as well not just drinking water (Sawin “Water Scarcity could overwhelm the Next Generation”). But increasing water use is not just a matter of the greater number of people needing it to drink and eat; it also comes from pollution and misuse of water supplies, by either dumping or runoff of bacteria or chemicals into water. This also “causes other pollutions as well such as soil and air pollution, accelerating wetland damage and human caused global warming” (Smith and Thomassey 25). According to UN report, recent estimates suggest that climate change will account for about 20 percent of the increase in global water scarcity in coming decades.
Sandra Postel, on the other hand, has a different opinion than Danielle’s. She proposed that “without increasing water productivity in irrigation, major food-producing regions will not have enough water to sustain crop production”.
The backbone of a stable nation, socially and politically, is agriculture. Agriculture is the largest sector that provides a nation with food and employment. Agriculture is currently being affected by climate change and at the same time it is also a contributor to climate change. The drastic elevations in climate change started from the mid to late 20th century and they have been increasing since then (Boisvenue & Running 2006). Climate change is affecting agriculture by interfering with the efficiency of crop production. Agriculture is facing droughts, flooding, sea level elevations, natural disasters, and health hazards for employees. All of these exponents lead to crop failure that creates famines and food prices to rise. On the other side, agriculture is also contributing to climate change through their output of greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprints. These are caused by the activities that agriculture engages with such as breeding of livestock, ploughing of fields, deforestation, and the use of pesticides and other agrochemicals. Climate change affects countries differently, mainly due to their ability to adapt and their geographical location. Canada and Russia benefit from the changes in climate while Sudan and Bangladesh are affected negatively, struggling to adapt. Agriculture and climate change are interrelated processes that exist mutually making it harder to reduce one without affecting the other.
Global warming is one of the main causes, which leads to the lack of water and drought. A drought-like condition exists in most of India’s part. Government of India states that 68% of the country is disposed to the drought, which (consequences are) leads to massive migration of people to more favorable places, famine, conflicts among inhabitants. India is known in the world as one of the biggest producers of water-intensive crops such as rice, sugarcane and wheat. According to a survey done by Grail Research, approximately 82% of total water is used for agricultural consumption and 90% of it is employed for irrigation of rice, wheat and sugarcane (Grail Research, LLC, 2009). There are several solutions which could lead to the decr...