Leading Issues in Pakistan Assignment

Submitted by: Zaigham Abbas Roll no: 2065-BS-ECON-22

Moazma Munir Roll no: 2060-BS-ECON-22
Haziq bin Yousaf Roll no: 2055-BS-ECON-22
Abdul Rauf Roll no: 2065-BS-ECON-22

Submitted to: Sir Taj Muhammad

 Implementation Reasons if Not
Policy Name Objectives
Status Implemented
Address food shortages after
independence by increasing
agricultural output through better
utilization of available resources
and promoting cultivation of
Grow More Food Campaign essential crops.
Yes
(1947)
Provide subsidized seeds and
fertilizers, mobilize extension
services, and create awareness
campaigns to promote best farming
practices.
Strengthen rural development by
improving agriculture, health,
education, and communication
Lack of funding,
systems in villages through
insufficient community
community involvement.
participation, and limited
Village-Aid Program (1952) No
technical expertise at the
Develop cooperatives, train
grassroots level hindered
village-level workers, improve
the program's success.
rural infrastructure, and provide
technical assistance in farming and
allied activities.
Enhance agricultural productivity
by building infrastructure like
irrigation systems, developing
farm-to-market roads, and
First Five-Year Plan (1955–1960) increasing investment in Yes
agricultural research.

Construct dams, canals, and roads;

establish research institutions;
 provide subsidies for agricultural
tools; and introduce credit facilities
for farmers.
Boost the production of staple
crops like wheat and rice to meet
growing population demands and
reduce reliance on imports.
Introduction of High-Yielding
Yes
Varieties (HYVs) (1960s) Distribute high-yielding seeds, train
farmers on modern agricultural
techniques, and expand irrigation
facilities to support intensive
farming methods.
Provide credit and financial support
to farmers to facilitate investment
in modern farming techniques,
equipment, and inputs.
Agricultural Development Bank of
Yes
Pakistan (ADBP) (1961) Offer low-interest loans, establish
rural branches for better access, and
provide advisory services for
proper utilization of financial
resources.
Modernize agriculture by
introducing mechanization,
improving irrigation systems, and
enhancing farmer access to credit.
Second Five-Year Plan
Promote tractorization, construct Yes
(1960–1965)
storage facilities, expand irrigation
networks, and strengthen
agricultural cooperatives for
knowledge sharing and resource
pooling.
 Reduce land concentration among
feudal elites, promote equitable
distribution of land, and support Strong opposition from
tenant farmers to increase landowners, lack of
productivity and reduce poverty. political will, and poor
Land Reforms (1972) No enforcement
Impose landholding limits, mechanisms undermined
redistribute surplus land to landless the effectiveness of the
farmers, provide legal support to reforms.
tenants, and compensate former
owners with bonds and payments.
Encourage the use of chemical
fertilizers to enhance soil fertility
and crop yields.

Fertilizer Subsidy Program Provide subsidies on fertilizer

Yes
(1970s) prices, set up distribution networks
in rural areas, and conduct
awareness campaigns to educate
farmers about balanced fertilizer
application.
Improve irrigation efficiency and
reduce water wastage to maximize Limited farmer
productivity from available water awareness, resistance to
resources. adopting modern
On-Farm Water Management irrigation practices, and
No
Program (1980) Introduce laser leveling, line insufficient government
watercourses, promote drip and funding delayed
sprinkler irrigation, and train widespread
farmers on water management implementation.
practices.
Ensure fair pricing for agricultural
produce to protect farmers’
interests and provide price stability
Agricultural Prices Commission in the market.
Yes
(1981)
Set minimum support prices for key
crops, conduct market surveys to
assess cost structures, and
 recommend policies for timely
procurement and price stabilization.
Promote sustainable agricultural
growth, ensure food security, and Lack of proper
enhance export potential through enforcement, weak
diversification and modernization. coordination among
National Agricultural Policy implementing agencies,
No
(1991) Develop agro-based industries, and limited investment
expand research on high-value in research and
crops, introduce export incentives, development hindered
and invest in rural infrastructure progress.
like cold storage and transportation.
Align agricultural policies with
global standards by liberalizing
trade, reducing subsidies, and Resistance to reducing
increasing efficiency in resource subsidies, poor
utilization. understanding of
Agricultural Sector Adjustment market-oriented
No
Program (ASAP) (1994) Reform agricultural institutions, mechanisms, and
remove trade barriers, privatize inadequate institutional
state-owned enterprises, and capacity delayed
introduce market-oriented implementation.
mechanisms for pricing and
distribution.
Ensure access to affordable,
nutritious food for all by improving
agricultural productivity, promoting
sustainable practices, and Implementation gaps
enhancing farmers' resilience to included insufficient
National Food Security Policy climate change. funding, lack of focus on
No
(2018) smallholder farmers, and
Encourage climate-smart inadequate adaptation to
agriculture, support smallholder climate challenges.
farmers with subsidies and training,
develop storage infrastructure, and
implement food safety standards.
 Increase agricultural output, ensure
efficient water use, and enhance
farmer incomes through targeted
initiatives and subsidies.
Prime Minister’s Agriculture
Yes
Emergency Program (2019) Launch high-efficiency irrigation
projects, provide subsidized inputs
like seeds and fertilizers, improve
access to technology, and promote
crop diversification.
Provide financial and technical
support to farmers to reduce
production costs and improve Delays in disbursing
overall agricultural performance. subsidies and loans, lack
of transparency, and
Kissan Package (2020) No
Offer low-interest loans, subsidize logistical challenges in
fertilizers and seeds, waive certain reaching all farmers
taxes on farmers, and set up limited its effectiveness.
training programs to improve
agricultural practices.
Modernize the agricultural sector
using technology, promote
value-added production, and Inadequate adoption of
improve the overall supply chain technology, lack of
for better market integration. infrastructure for
Pakistan Agriculture value-added production,
No
Transformation Plan (2021) Introduce digital platforms for and bureaucratic delays
farmer registration, invest in in project rollouts
precision agriculture technologies, impeded full
enhance cold storage facilities, and implementation.
strengthen farmer-producer
associations.
Develop resilience in the Limited farmer
agricultural sector to mitigate the education on
impacts of climate change while climate-resilient
Climate-Smart Agriculture
promoting sustainable farming No techniques, insufficient
Program (2022)
practices and reducing greenhouse budget allocation, and
gas emissions. delays in rolling out
renewable energy
 Support the development of projects for farms
climate-resilient crops, promote hindered
no-till farming, implement implementation.
advanced irrigation systems, and
provide incentives for adopting
renewable energy solutions on
farms.
Foster collaboration between
stakeholders in agriculture,
including farmers, researchers,
policymakers, and private
enterprises, to drive innovation and
Early-stage project;
improve productivity.
challenges include slow
Agri-Connections 2024 (2024) No stakeholder engagement
Establish digital platforms for
and limited awareness of
stakeholder communication, host
the platform.
regular knowledge-sharing
workshops, promote partnerships
for research and development, and
provide grants for innovative
agricultural projects.
Introduction of High-Yielding Varieties
(HYVs) Policy in Pakistan (1960s)
Introduction
The agricultural sector has been a cornerstone of Pakistan’s economy since its independence in
1947. However, the 1960s brought about an urgent need for increased food production due to
population growth and recurrent food shortages. The introduction of High-Yielding Varieties
(HYVs) during this decade was a transformative policy aimed at revolutionizing agricultural
productivity. This report provides an in-depth analysis of the HYV policy’s impact, focusing on
dependent and independent variables over the years 1955–1975.

Objectives of the Policy

The primary goals of the HYV policy were:

1. To enhance the production of staple crops like wheat and rice.

2. To achieve self-sufficiency in food grains, reducing reliance on imports.
3. To improve the income levels of farmers through higher yields.
4. To promote the adoption of modern agricultural techniques.

Implementation Strategies
To meet these objectives, the government introduced a range of initiatives:

1. Distribution of high-yielding seeds for wheat and rice.

2. Expansion of irrigation facilities to support intensive farming.
3. Subsidization and promotion of fertilizers and pesticides.
4. Training programs to educate farmers about modern farming practices.
 Data Analysis: Key Variables
To assess the policy’s impact, we examine dependent variables (crop yields, total production)
and independent variables (area under cultivation, fertilizer consumption, and irrigation
facilities) before and after the policy implementation. Data for the years 1955, 1960, 1965, 1970,
and 1975 are presented below:

Years Independent Variable Dependent Variable

Fertilizer Irrigated
Area Under Area Under Rice Wheat Rice Total Wheat Total Rice
Consumption Area
Wheat Cultivation Yield Yield Prod. (Mil Production
(Thousand (Million
Cultivation (Million Hectares) (Kg/Hec: (Kg/Hec) Tons) (Million Tons)
Nutrient Tons): Hectares):
1955 4.75 1.4 30 10.5 800 1,000 3.8 1.4

1960 4.7 1.4 50 11 850 1,100 4 1.5

1965 5 1.45 100 12 900 1,200 4.5 1.7

1970 5.4 1.5 300 14 1,300 1,800 7 2.5

1975 5.7 1.5 500 15 1,500 2,000 8.5 3

 Variable 1960 (Before HYVs) 1970 (After HYVs)
Wheat Yield (Kg/Hectare) 850 1,300
Rice Yield (Kg/Hectare) 1,100 1,800
Total Wheat Production (Million Tons) 4 7
Total Rice Production (Million Tons) 1.5 2.5
Area Under Wheat Cultivation (M Hectares) 4.7 5.4
Area Under Rice Cultivation (M Hectares) 1.4 1.5
Fertilizer Consumption (Thousand Tons) 50 300
Irrigated Area (Million Hectares) 11 14

Key Observations
1. Crop Yields
The data reveal a substantial increase in crop yields post-policy implementation. Wheat yield
improved from 850 Kg/Ha in 1960 to 1,300 Kg/Ha in 1970, marking a 53% increase within a
decade. Rice yield experienced an even steeper rise, from 1,100 Kg/Ha in 1960 to 1,800 Kg/Ha
by 1970, showing a 64% improvement. These figures underscore the effectiveness of HYVs in
enhancing productivity per hectare.

2. Total Production
Total wheat production surged from 4.0 million tons in 1960 to 7.0 million tons in 1970, while
rice production increased from 1.5 million tons to 2.5 million tons over the same period. This
growth ensured a more stable food supply and contributed to reducing the need for imports.

3. Area Under Cultivation

The area under wheat cultivation expanded from 4.7 million hectares in 1960 to 5.4 million
hectares in 1970, reflecting a modest increase. Similarly, rice cultivation areas increased slightly
from 1.4 to 1.5 million hectares. This indicates that the primary driver of increased production
was not merely the expansion of cultivated areas but the enhanced productivity facilitated by
HYVs.
4. Fertilizer Consumption
Fertilizer usage saw exponential growth, rising from 50,000 tons in 1960 to 300,000 tons in
1970. The increased application of fertilizers was critical to realizing the potential of HYVs,
which required higher nutrient inputs to achieve their yield targets.

5. Irrigation Facilities
The irrigated area expanded from 11 million hectares in 1960 to 14 million hectares by 1970,
demonstrating significant investment in irrigation infrastructure. This expansion played a pivotal
role in ensuring consistent water availability for HYVs, which are water-intensive.

Policy Analysis
Achievements
1. Increased Food Security: The HYV policy significantly boosted food grain production,
contributing to food security in Pakistan.
2. Enhanced Farmer Incomes: Higher yields translated into increased income for farmers,
fostering economic growth in rural areas.
3. Technological Adoption: The policy introduced modern farming techniques, laying the
groundwork for subsequent agricultural advancements.
4. Reduction in Imports: The increased production of wheat and rice reduced dependency
on costly food imports, easing the strain on foreign exchange reserves.

Challenges
1. High Input Costs: The reliance on fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation led to increased
production costs, which could strain smallholder farmers.
2. Unequal Benefits: The benefits of the policy were not evenly distributed. Larger,
well-irrigated farms adopted HYVs more rapidly, while smaller farmers often lacked
access to the necessary resources.
3. Environmental Impact: The intensive use of chemical inputs and water resources raised
concerns about soil degradation and water scarcity in the long term.
Conclusion
The introduction of High-Yielding Varieties (HYVs) in Pakistan was a transformative policy that
significantly boosted agricultural productivity and food security by increasing wheat and rice
yields and doubling total production within a decade. It modernized farming practices through
the use of fertilizers, irrigation expansion, and high-quality seeds, laying the foundation for
technological advancements in agriculture. However, the policy also exposed challenges such as
environmental concerns, inequitable resource distribution, and limited support for smallholder
farmers. These lessons underscore the importance of sustainable practices, inclusivity, and
integrated approaches for future agricultural policies to address food security and climate change
challenges effectively.