Muhammad Saleem

Collaboration among the farmers, scientists, and private sector is essential for the agriculture sector development. This is the gist of opinions WealthPK garnered in an interaction with the stakeholders.

Ahtshamul Haq, a progressive farmer, said agriculture was the backbone of Pakistan, catering to the needs of millions. Besides, this sector is also a rich source of opportunities and livelihoods for many, contributing exceptionally to Pakistan’s GDP. However, despite its importance, he said the long-standing issues demand collaborative efforts from the farmers, agricultural scientists, private sector, and policymakers. Without pulling together, a good yield is not possible.

Similarly, these issues also require joint ventures by different segments of the society. He noted that the farmers were well aware that climate change was causing significant changes in the cultivation patterns, and with the outdated farming practices, they would not be able to cope with this difficult situation. Dr. Khan, an agricultural scientist, told WealthPK that sensing the emerging challenges and effectively addressing the issues of the agriculture sector, collaboration among different sectors was the need of the hour.

“We must acknowledge that except for the farmers, all other sectors enjoy the fruits of the agriculture sector. Our farmers are fighting it out desperately needing our support. Gone are the days when they could be convinced merely through the messages delivered on the radio, social media, or news channels. Climate change is playing havoc with the weather with each passing day, requiring us to maintain regular communication with our farmers to keep them abreast of the abrupt changes,” Dr Khan said.

He reiterated that without effective collaboration, the farmers could not move forward effectively. Sharing of knowledge and resources across different sectors is imperative for the well-being of farmers and agriculture sector, he said. “Only agricultural scientists can arm our farmers with the advanced approaches and research findings, enabling them to improve crop yields and ensure sustainability on a solid ground. ”If scientists develop drought-resistant crop varieties, only farmers are the key to their successful implementation.

Similarly, the private sector also needs the assistance of farmers to integrate effective pest management strategies. Through effective collaboration, we can strengthen food security and arrest the trend of losses,” he said.

Ahtsham said collaborating closely with the scientists and private sector could facilitate the farmers to better understand the modern farming practices and pest management methods. He pointed out that the farmers could not test new seeds without assistance and support of the agricultural scientists. By joining hands with the scientists and farmers, the private sector will be well-positioned to market high-quality seeds effectively, he added.

Moreover, the farmers need tried-and-test techniques to elevate the agriculture sector to new heights. He also noted that the agriculture business was mainly operated by the private sector that helped the farmers get seeds, fertilizers and modern tools. “As everyone knows, the latest tools are the backbone to improve productivity, but unfortunately, the majority of farmers lack the financial resources to invest in such tools, leaving them at a disadvantage,” he added.

Credit: INP-WealthPk