Role of Agriculture in Pakistan GDP and Major Challenges

The role of Agriculture in Pakistan GDP is significant as it employs nearly half of the country’s labour force and contributes a major share to the national economy. The share of agriculture in GDP has declined over the years, but it still remains an important sector of the economy. Currently, agriculture accounts for about 19.2% of Pakistan’s GDP and provides employment to around 38.5 per cent of the labour force

Pakistan has two cropping seasons, the Kharif and Rabi. The Kharif season starts in April and ends in September, while the Rabi season runs from October to March.

Oilseeds are an important source of edible oils and animal feed. Pakistan is the 5th largest producer of cotton in the world and the second-largest exporter of cotton yarn. Wheat is the staple food crop of Pakistanis and is also used as animal feed. Rice, Maize and Sugarcane are also important crops in Pakistan. Pulses are an important source of protein for vegetarians and are also used as animal feed.

Important Crops Grown in Pakistan and their share in the GDP

Wheat
Rice
Sugarcane
Cotton
Maize
Pulses
Oilseeds

According to the latest report of the Pakistan economic survey, major Wheat is contributing 1.8%, Rice 3.5%, cotton 1.5%, Sugarcane 0.7% and maize (0.6%) to the GDP of Pakistan.

Production of Important crops in Pakistan — PBS

Why is agriculture important for Pakistan’s economy?

Agriculture is important for Pakistan’s economy for several reasons. First, as mentioned earlier, it employs a large share of the country’s workforce. In addition, agriculture is a major source of export earnings for the country. agriculture products such as rice, cotton, and wheat are some of Pakistan’s main exports. Furthermore, the sector contributes to food security in the country.

How is GDP affected by agriculture?

GDP is affected by agriculture in several ways. First, as mentioned earlier, agriculture employs a large share of the country’s workforce. In addition, agriculture is a major source of export earnings for the country. Finally, the sector contributes to food security in the country. All of these factors contribute to GDP growth in Pakistan.

Major challenges faced by the agriculture sector in Pakistan

The agriculture sector in Pakistan faces a number of challenges. The main problems faced by the agriculture sector are:

1. Low Productivity:

One of the main reasons for low productivity is the use of outdated technology. Farmers are using traditional methods of farming which are not productive. In addition, they do not have access to credit and extension services.

2. Land Fragmentation:

Land fragmentation is another problem faced by farmers in Pakistan. This occurs when small pieces of land are owned by many different people. This makes it difficult to farm efficiently.

3. Climate Change:

Climate change is also a major challenge facing Pakistani agriculture. The country is vulnerable to floods and droughts, which can damage crops and reduce yields.

4. Lack of Infrastructure:

Another problem faced by the agricultural sector is the lack of infrastructure. There is a lack of roads, storage facilities, and irrigation facilities. This limits the ability of farmers to transport their crops to market and results in wastage.

5. Pest and Diseases:

Pests and diseases are also major problems for farmers in Pakistan. These pests and diseases destroy crops and reduce yields.

6. Price Volatility:

Price volatility is another problem faced by the agricultural sector. Prices of inputs and outputs are often volatile, which makes it difficult for farmers to plan production.

7. Access to Markets:

Another challenge faced by farmers is access to markets. Farmers often have difficulty selling their crops due to a lack of market access. This results in low incomes and increased poverty. To conclude, the agricultural sector plays a vital role in Pakistan’s economy but it faces many challenges. These challenges need to be addressed in order to improve the sector’s contribution to GDP and reduce poverty levels in Pakistan.

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