Lecture 25

Pak301
Natural Resources, Agriculture
1: Natural Resources
Mineral Resources
Rivers and Canals
Forests
Animals
2: Agriculture
1: Natural Resources:
The resources endowed by the nature to the country and the people are called National
Resources, e.g., Mineral resources, rivers, forests and animals. Agricultural lands hold key to
development and prosperity of a country.
The rate of development and prosperity of a country depends on efforts to make use of it.
Effective management and human efforts are needed to avail them. Modern technology is also
required to make use of it.

Mineral Resources:
Pakistan is blessed with considerable mineral resources. Some of them are explored but
much remains to be done for the search for more. Some important resources are:
• Iron Ore is used for industry, especially steel industry. It is found in limited quantity and
low quality. Most of the required Iron ore is imported from abroad. Its deposits are found
in Chitral, Chaghai, Kohat, Kurram Agency, Mardan, Hazara, Mianwali (Kalabagh) and
DG Khan.
• Chromite: is used in preparing other metals, leather tanning, making of steel products,
armament and stainless steel. The deposits of Chromite are found in Zoab (Muslim
Bagh), Chaghai, Malakand, Mahmand, Waziristan, Fort Sandaman etc.
• Gypsum is used for plaster of Paris, Paints and Cement. It is found in Jhelum, Mianwali,
DG Khan, Kohat and Loralai.
• Sulphur is used by chemical industry. Its deposits are found in Kalat, Khairpur, Mardan,
and Jacobabad etc.
• Coal is used in power generation. It is basically used as fuel. It is not found in good
quantity and quality. It is mostly found in Sindh (Thatta, Tharparkar, Manara)
Balochistan (Deegari, Sharig, Soer, Khost, Maach, Hernai), Punjab (Makarwal, Dandot),
NWFP (Cherat and Noshera).
• Oil: It is a major source of energy. It is mostly imported from Iran and Gulf states. Now
some valuable reserves are found in Jhelum, Mianwali, Attock, Balkasar, Mial, Chakwal,
and Dhodak.

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 • Gas: it is itself a source of energy and fuel, and also used as a source of power
generation. It is found in Sui, Mari, Uch, Khairpur, Jacobabad etc. Now some new
discoveries are also found.
• Uranium: It is the basic element for atomic power, indispensable for the defence. Its
deposits are in DG Khan, Hazara and Kohat.
Rivers:
The river system of Pakistan is consisted of Indus and other associated rivers. We have a
well-defined Canal system. The most important one is the Indus Basin project.
What we require is the proper management of water, its conservation, effective use,
storage, dams and flood control. Water is dangerous if it is too much, it become a problem if it is
too little. It is used for Agriculture where it is the backbone of agro-economy. It is also a cheapest
source of hydroelectric Power generation.

Forests:
Normally 25 percent area of a country should be covered with forest. But in Pakistan it is
only 4 to 5 percent.
Some areas are not suitable for plantation like deserts and dry mountains. It is because
of shortage of water and rainfall. Deforestation is also due to unplanned cutting of trees.

Advantages:
Forests have many advantages. They are helpful in improvement of weather. Protect
against windstorms, help in slow melting of snow to stop floods. They add greenery, beauty and
fresh air to the environment. Plants are source of food, medicine, timber, chemicals and
fertilizers. They are the homes of animals, birds and insects. They are also used as fuel.

Animals:
Animals provide milk, meat, hide and skins, wool etc. They are also used for agriculture
and transportation. They are a source of foreign exchange.
Their proper breeding requires planning and care. Animal husbandry and colleges of
research are established to breed and cure useful species of animals. Department of Live Stock
also provides Support System for raising animals both privately and through Government
Projects. Government farms and military farms are also working for that purpose.

Fisheries:
It is also a source of food and income. Department of fisheries also encourage private
farmers to invest in this field and add to personal and national wealth.

2: Agriculture
Pakistan is an agricultural country. More than 70 percent of its population lives in rural
areas. Over 50 percent are directly engaged in farming or agro-based activities.
• Share of agriculture to GDP is 26 percent.
• In Punjab and Sindh plains are very large. There are irrigated farmlands.
• Two major crops are yielded in a year
(a) RABI: Sown in October-November and produce obtained in April-May. Important
produces are Wheat, Gram, Oil seeds.

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 (b) KHARIF: Sown in May-June and produce is obtained in October-November.
Important crops are Rice, Sugar Cane, Cotton etc.
• Main crops: Wheat, Rice, Cotton, Sugar Cane, Gram, Maize, Mustard, Tobacco, Oil
seeds, Fruits and vegetables.
• Land Reforms are introduced from time to time by different governments: in 1959,
1972, and 1977. The aim was to reduce land holding and to strengthen the position of
tenants. It was done for improving yield per acre and poverty alleviation in agriculture
field.
Problems in Agriculture:
There are number of problems in our agriculture, for instance:
1. Outdated modes of cultivation, which cause low per acre yield.
2. Water Logging and Salinity.
Attention is being given to these since mid 1960.
3. Crop diseases are big problem. Technical support is being provided by Department of
Agricultural. It helped to overcome the problem. Our inputs have problem of quality,
which cause low prices in market. Other handicaps are low quality seeds, costly
fertilizers, non-availability of electricity or oil for tube well etc.
4. Water related problem, sometimes it is too little, but sometimes it is too much. Cleaning
of Canals is also necessary to provide water at the end of canal.
5. Credit facilities are also problematic.
6. Access to market is difficult.
7. Availability of reasonable price should be ensured for the welfare of the farmers and
high yield of crop.
Agriculture and Development Plans:
• Research is done for the development of high yield seeds giving better output.
Information and guidance is being provided to the common farmer to enjoy the fruits of
the advance research in the field of agriculture. University education is developed in
various parts of Pakistan especially in Faisalabad and Jamshoro. Emphasis is laid on
modern technology in practical field.
• Communication and transportation facilities are increased.
• Government ensures the payment to the farmers for their produce immediately.

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