Entering the 21st century in a better economic and social
environment has been the aim of various governments. As we move close
to 21st century, the time available for action is narrowing down. Expen
opinions, however, are being framed irrespective of the shorter time
frame. A vision of development that can be realised over a span of 20
years cannot necessarily be realised in a shorter time frame of 10 years.
Development prospective, therefore, will now have to be more actice
oriented rather than conceptual.
Agricultural, industrial and social development all have importan
place in national development, for a country like Pakistan.
Development basically means providing sustenance to the common
man in rural areas. Development perspectives, therefore, have to be
drawn on lives different from the Western models. Most important of a
these in food availability in the year 2000. That means that for the future
of mankind this sector has to be given priority consideration. The
population is expected to grow at the present rate of over 2 percent in th
country. The public distribution system has made food distributi
uniformly possible in different part of the country, but easy accessibility
still a major problem. There are pockets in the country with ser
problems of malnutrition and hunger due to poverty. Poverty alleviati programmes are aimed at increasing employment opportunities and income
generation, thereby improving the economic standards of the common
people. Experts feel that such a process automatically entitles people of
food procurement. The long term programmes envisaged under rural
or access to food. This is basically a political problem and
I are also not necessarily solutions for short term measures of
science and technology can do only little to sort it out.
Pakistan has progressed significantly with regard to agricultural
science or even science in general which contributes to the overall rural
agricultural development. Different ways of achieving the aims in science
and technology are under operation, technology choices and investments in
science and technology are earmarked to promote greater technological
self-reliance. In the context of the emphasis on rural area planning, it has
been projected to promote district level councils of science and
technology. These councils are to look into the required needs with regard
to science and technology.
Considering only the important aspects of agricultural development
to meet the basic sustenance required food, fuel and fodder, it is necessary
to consider the population growth by the year 2000. This is likely to create
pressure on both the metropolitan cities and the rural areas. Both these
will lead to social and environmental disturbances. To mitigate the effects
of a rising population, it is necessary to plan the sustainable agricultural
growth so that people are in a position to have access to food sufficient
quantities and at affordable prices. The needs of the people have to be
assured keeping in mind changing developmental perspectives. Necessary
steps to fulfil these needs have to be taken.
The new thrust to improve agricultural production will mean that
supporting activities have to be geared up. There always exists a gap
between the ‘needs’ and `demands’ dictated by the common man. Where
as in the affluent countries the demands are greater than the needs because
of their higher purchasing capacities. In Pakistan, demands are always
much lower than the needs in the rural areas because of their poor
purchasing capacity. Food self sufficiency as reflected has created a false
sense of self reliance. With the increasing purchasing capacity of the
common man, nutrition levels are bound to improve, thereby increasing
the demands. Setting higher targets will be a higher and more effective
emphasis on soil conservation, water management and crop protection
facilities. There is very possibility that soil degradation, which required to higher production will also mean environmental protection.
be checked as more land will be needed for production. Thus a strategy of
national and international projects. What is necessary is to match it with a
This is not an unrealistic target as has been shown in most of the
long term policy package with regard to subsidies, inputs and marketing.
biological production. Political determination has to back up these
Ad hoc policies do not help in planned growth, especially in the areas of
ventures. The policy must come in one lot rather than in piece meal.
Government should provide large funds for agricultural scientists so
that they an demonstrated these technologies on a larger scale. The rural
keep a balance between income generation in the rural areas and
development policy should be linked with the agricultural policy
improvement in nutritional standards. Otherwise the development process
may not be socially balanced.
so as to
Food production has been synonymous with crop production. This
has generally resulted in a neglect of supporting activities like animal
husbandry, poultry and fisheries. After having achieved the initial phase of
the minimum food requirement, it is necessary to attain a minimum
nutritional standard. These factors can contribute much more significantly
in achieving this. Growth and improvement depend on crops for initial
feed requirements. Therefore, planning for the year 2000 even on a
subsistence level requires much greater emphasis on integrated agricultural
development rather than on cereal production.
A continuously increasing population will require a sustainable
agricultural growth in the country. This sustainability of a biological
system is directly dependent on environmental conditions and improved
methods of technological inputs for attaining the required targets. The
most important aspect under the development perspective for the year
2000 has to be minimum nutritional standard for the common man,
thereby avoiding malnutrition, hunger and poverty.