Green Pakistan Initiative | Land Information and Management System (LIMS)

The Land Information and Management System (LIMS) is an unprecedented project of the Government of Pakistan with the help of the Pakistan Army to promote modern agriculture and revolutionize the agricultural sector in the country. The establishment of LIMS is the first comprehensive government initiative for the development of the agricultural sector in the country’s history. The main objective of LIMS is to reduce domestic agricultural imports, increase exports, and meet the food needs of the growing population. 

Agriculture is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, contributing about 24% to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employing around 42% of the labour force. However, the agricultural sector in Pakistan has been facing numerous challenges, including outdated farming practices, inadequate irrigation facilities, and lack of access to modern technology and resources. These challenges have resulted in low agricultural productivity and increased dependence on imports to meet the food needs of the growing population.

In the 1960s Pakistan’s first Green Revolution was indeed a crucial milestone in the country’s agricultural history, which led to a significant increase in food grain output and made Pakistan a net exporter of wheat. However, the current agricultural landscape in Pakistan is facing significant challenges that pose a threat to its sustainability and growth. These challenges include decreasing productivity, a widening gap between population growth and agricultural production, and a significant import bill in the agri-sector.

The decreasing productivity in the agriculture sector can be attributed to several factors, including the lack of modern technology, poor irrigation systems, and inadequate infrastructure. Additionally, the population growth in Pakistan is outpacing agricultural production, leading to a widening gap between food supply and demand. This gap is further compounded by the fact that most of the agricultural land in Pakistan is occupied by small farmers who lack the necessary resources to increase their productivity.

What is LIMS?

The Land Information and Management System (LIMS) is a comprehensive government initiative aimed at promoting modern agriculture in Pakistan and addressing the challenges facing the agricultural sector. On 7th July 2023, the Prime Minister of Pakistan inaugurated the LIMS initiative, marking a significant milestone in the country’s agriculture. The LIMS initiative will help revolutionize the agricultural sector in the country by providing farmers with simultaneous access to information on climate change, satellite crop monitoring, water, fertilizer, and spray focus areas, and direct access to markets. The system will work on land, crops, weather, water resources, and pest control under one roof. It will be possible to increase agricultural production by using modern technology on uninhabited and low-yielding agricultural lands.

Features of the LIMS Initiative

The LIMS initiative features several components that will help promote modern agriculture in Pakistan and improve food security. One of the main features of the initiative is the establishment of new canals to store floodwater. This will help address the problem of water scarcity and improve irrigation facilities in the country. Additionally, modern irrigation techniques like modular drip irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, and pivot irrigation will be implemented to improve water use efficiency and reduce wastage.

Another feature of the LIMS initiative is the use of modern technology to promote precision agriculture. The system will provide farmers with real-time information on climate change, satellite crop monitoring, water, fertilizer, and spray focus areas. This will help farmers make informed decisions regarding crop management and improve agricultural productivity. The LIMS initiative will also focus on the rehabilitation of waste and uncultivated land to increase agricultural production and create job resources for people in Pakistan.

Benefits of the LIMS Initiative

The establishment of the Land Information Management System (LIMS) in Pakistan is a significant step towards revolutionizing the country’s agricultural sector through the application of advanced technology. The LIMS initiative expects to bring numerous benefits to the agricultural sector in Pakistan, including reducing Pakistan’s dependence on agricultural imports, increasing agricultural exports from Pakistan, and meeting the food needs of Pakistan’s growing population. By promoting modern agriculture and precision farming practices, the LIMS initiative will improve agricultural productivity and create job resources for people in Pakistan, while also rehabilitating waste and uncultivated land.

One of the most significant advantages of LIMS is the conversion of 4.4 million acres of barren land into fertile agricultural land, through the promotion of corporate farming. This initiative will lease land to foreign and local investors, including China, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain, leading to a significant boost in agriculture production and exports of Pakistan. The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) expects to attract $3 billion in foreign investment in the agricultural sector through the Council.

Modern irrigation systems will introduce in arid lands, providing benefits to small farmers. The Pakistan Army will provide management, coordination, and technical support to the project, ensuring its continuity and success. The army’s involvement will instil confidence in both the farmers and the government, bringing credibility and reliability to the system.

The use of advanced technology and modern irrigation systems will increase productivity, helping Pakistan overcome the challenges of food insecurity and rising import bills in the agriculture sector. With the participation of foreign investors and the support of the Pakistan Army, Pakistan can harness its enormous potential in the agriculture sector and overcome the challenges it currently faces. The LIMS initiative is expected to play a crucial role in achieving the goal of a green revolution in Pakistan

Challenges to the LIMS Initiative.

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While the LIMS initiative holds great potential for promoting modern agriculture and improving food security in Pakistan, it also faces several challenges. One of the main challenges is resistance from traditional farmers and landowners who may be resistant to adopting modern farming practices. Additionally, inadequate infrastructure and resources may pose a challenge to the implementation of the LIMS initiative. There may also be a lack of awareness and understanding of modern agricultural practices among farmers and stakeholders.

Conclusion

The Land Information and Management System (LIMS) is an initiative that can transform Pakistan’s agricultural sector and improve food security. LIMS includes new technologies and rehabilitation of waste and uncultivated land to increase agricultural productivity. It can also reduce Pakistan’s dependence on agricultural imports and promote sustainable development in the sector. The initiative may face challenges such as resistance from traditional farmers and inadequate infrastructure. However, the government of Pakistan and the Pakistan Army have taken decisive steps towards addressing the critical issue of food insecurity through the LIMS initiative.