Pakistan. Agricultural revival in Punjab (Pervez Tahir, South Asia Monitor)

In recent years, the media portrayal and the common perception of the Punjab government’s economic performance suggest a preference for mega projects related to urban infrastructure in central Punjab. The crucial sectors of agriculture, health and education are said to be lower down the scale of priorities. While the neglect of education and health is a recurrent national story, not specific to Punjab, the failure to address the agricultural crisis in Punjab has implications for the country’s exports, industrial growth and, above all, food security and poverty alleviation. Nearly 69 per cent of the total cropped area of the country is in Punjab, producing over 80 per cent of cotton, wheat and fine rice, besides 63 per cent of sugarcane. Around 80 per cent of the country’s total exports are concentrated in agricultural commodities and agro-based products. In July- February 2015-2016, exports of rice, raw cotton, cotton yarn and major textile items were all in the red. In manufacturing during July-January 2015-16, the growth of wheat and grain-milling was negative, cotton yarn grew under two per cent and cotton cloth under one per cent. Deficient demand has reduced tractor production by as much as 47 per cent.

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