a) What is agriculture?

[2]
Agriculture is a primary industry concerned with A. Small-scale Subsistence
obtaining raw material from the ground for immediate
consumption or for further processing. All types of
Farming
b) Describe subsistence farming. [4]
agriculture can be viewed as a system with inputs, A Small-scale subsistence farms produce food and
processes and outputs. raw materials mainly for the people who work on
The inputs fall into two groups. them. Any surplus for sale is a bonus, not an
expectation. Many of the farms in all the provinces
i. Natural (Physical):
are small-scale subsistence holdings. The size 01
The factors of nature that affect the possibilities
34% of all the farms is much smaller than the
for different crops and animals.
normal subsistence holding which is taken to be
ii. Human (Economic):
5 hectares. This indicates that most farmers have
The money involved, e.g. the cost of investing,
difficulty earning a living from small-holdings and
equipment, machinery and so on. It also includes
they have to supplement their income from other
the number, skills and attitude of the available
sources, e.g. they may work as a carpenter or
workers.
blacksmith or cobbler etc.
The inputs determine the type of processes on the c) Why subsistence farmer produces low yield? [3]
farms. The result of what the farmer does is the A small-scale subsistence farm depends on nature.
output. There are three main types of farming Some of the human (economic) inputs are obtained
practised in Pakistan. during the process of farming, e.g. natural manure,
A. Small-scale subsistence farming. seeds etc. Other economic inputs like animals
B. Cash crop farming. (offspring), wooden plough, are transferred from
C. Livestock farming. one generation to the other along with the land.
d) What is work of women and children on a subsistence farm? [3]
The processes in
Inputs Processes Outputs For subsistence farming are
Home
Natural Crops, Food and Use completed with the manual
(Physical) e.g. Raw Material e.g. labour of family members.
• Land • Ploughing • Wheat For
• Sowing Sale Men folk work on the farm.
• Soil • Rice
• Climate • Irrigati ng • Cotton Women may collect water
• Water • Fertilizing • Vegetables from the well for irrigation
• Weeding • Flowers Profit
Human
• Harvesting
and bring meals for the
(Economic) Animals & husbands. At the time of
• Threshing
• Capital Products e.g.
• Milking For harvesting the whole family
• Machines • Breeding Sale
• Milk works in the field.
• Fertilizers etc.
• Meat
• Labour
• Eggs For
• Knowledge Sometimes unskilled
Home
• Land ownership Use labourers are also employed
• Traditions
• Irrigation
on low wages. Women and
• Pesticides Waste Products children also take care of
for preparation
the animals on the farm,
of animal feed
L-- --j and manure e.g preparing feed for the
husk, cotton seed
and molasses
animals, by mixing chopped
fodder, pulses and wheat,
Profit invested back into farm
milking buffaloes, cows and
goats and by collecting
Fig. 7.1 Explains agriculture as a system with inputs, processes and outputs. eggs. Output from the farm

I
 When wheat is grown on a subsistence farm,
Inputs Processes Outputs
traditional methods of cultivation and irrigation are
e.g. e.g.
used. The inputs on the farm are traditional e.g.
Land • Ploughing Rice
Soil Sowing • Wheat crops mainly depend upon rainwater in some areas
For
T Climate • Irrigating Maize home e.g. Potwar Plateau. However, lift irrigation from
U Water from ~ • Fertilizing
~ Vegetables ~ use
underground
a well may also be used. Animals provide draught
• Weeding Meat
and from power and traditional implements are used for
Threshing Milk
rivers
• Milking •. Eggs ploughing. The farm is owned by two or three
• Breeding families who consume the wheat produced on the
Natural
Manure farm. (Fig. 7.4)
Draft
power
from
bullocks Surplus products
A small-scale
are sold to the subsistence
Irrigation
systems market for profit. farm

Desi varieties
of seeds
Waste Products & By-products
Traditional
wooden plough Cow-dung as natural manure
is kept in a conical shape and
The whole
family including covered by mud.
women and • Chaff mixed with water and
childrenwork
on the farm mud to make storage rooms.
• Seeds from the grains.
Inherited
knowledge
about farming
Profit and waste products
I invested back into the farm. ~
1 I
Fig.7.4 The illustration shows the cultivation of wheat on a small-
scale subsistence farm.

Fig. 7.2 Small-scale subsistence farming also operates as a system.

e) Yields from crops on a subsistence farm vary from year to year. Explain
the reasons for this. [4] [Also refer to '1' on pg.106] necessities of life. Some profit is also invested
varies from year to year. If the rainfall is timely and back into the farm for maintaining implements and
pests and diseases do not attack the crop, a good buying the seeds and fertilizers.
yield could be expected. Surplus produce is normally
sold to small shops in the village. The profit earned When climatic conditions are favorable there is
is either used to pay the loans, which the farmer surplus wheat which may be sold in the village
may have taken in bad times, or for buying the shops.

After harvesting the wheat in early summer, other

crops like maize and vegetables are then cultivated
for family consumption. Draught animals like cattle,
buffaloes and mules are also kept on the farm.

B. Cash Crop Farming

f) Describe 'cash crop farming'. [2]
Cash crop farming means the growing of
agricultural crops for sale. A crop that is grown B
primarily for sale is called a 'cash crop'. In
Pakistan, cash crop farming is gaining popularity
in many areas. Farmers or landlords prefer
growing those crops which can bring high yields
and maximum profits. Large farms in Sindh and
Fig. 7.3 Pairs of bullocks are used for ploughing on many of the Punjab are being planted with cotton, rice, wheat
small-scale subsistence farms in Pakistan. The traditional
wooden plough can also be seen in the photograph. or sugar-cane.
More land should be used to Refer to Pg. 106
grow crops to feed the growing Pakistan should plant more
A population of Pakistan. cash crops on its land to
generate export earnings. B
Cash crop farming aims to maximise profit. A commission agents, and retailers before it reaches
cash crop farmer wants to increase agricultural the consumer. Each one takes a share of the
output. This factor motivates him to use those profit. This increases the price and limits the profit
farming techniques which will generate the highest to the growers which then badly affects the quality
profit. For example, production can be increased of farm inputs.
many times by using chemical fertilizers, high-
yielding seeds, proper distribution of canal water Unlike subsistence farming where mainly food
and skilled labour with better knowledge of farming. crops are grown, a variety of crops are also grown
A commercial farmer can afford to buy agricultural on commercial farms e.g. cotton, rice, tobacco,
machinery, e.g. tractor, thresher, combine harvester, sugar-cane and oilseeds. A commercial farmer
to speed up the processes on the farm. The crop selects the crop on the basis of demand, price
is also protected from pests and insects by and favourable government policies e.g. the
applying pesticides and insecticides. government may fix the support price of wheat or
cotton. Growers of these crops are given certain
When the crop is harvested, extra labour is incentives by the government as wheat is the
employed. For example, cotton picking is done staple diet and cotton is an export crop, being our
by women who are available at cheap rates and major foreign exchange earner.
do this job patiently. For large-scale commercial
farming, big warehouses are needed to store the Agricultural Products
produce before it is taken to the market. In
in Pakistan
Pakistan, because of the distribution system, the
crop has to pass through several hands; the A variety of crops is cultivated in Pakistan. There
wholesaler, are two cropping seasons. The crops that are
g) Explain the difficulties in finding and reaching markets for
almonds, dates and other fruit grown in Pakistan. [3]
sown at the beginning of the winter season
(October - November) and harvested in early
Inputs Processes
Outputs summer (April - May) are known as Rabi crops.
on farm
They include wheat, barley, grams, oilseeds and
N
A • Land • Sowing • Cotton pulses. h) Name and Describe croping seasons. Give
• Ploughing For example of crops as well. [4]
T • Soil • Wheat
sale
U • Climate ~ • Irrigating ~ • Rice ~ only The crops that are sown in summer (April- June)
R • Water from • Weeding • Sugar-cane
and harvested in early winter (October -
underground
A and from
• Threshing • Oilseeds
L November) are known as Kharif crops. They are
rivers • Harvesting • Tobacco
rice, sugar-cane, millets, maize and cotton. The
relative importance in terms of area and production
• Irrigation
systems
of the major crops is given below.
• Chemical
H fertilizers
Areas Production
Farm Crops
U machinery (000 hectares) (000 Tonnes)
High-yielding
M varieties Waste products Profit
Wheat 8666 23517
• Skilled
A labour
• Knowledge
13595
N about new Cotton 2835
methods 1000 Bales
• Pesticides
insecticides
Rice 2571 6160

Ii Profit invested back into farm

Sugar-cane 1046 58038

.
Fig. 7.5

;
Cash crop farming as a system. Fig. 7.6 (Economic Survey of Pakistan 2011-12).
The relative percentage share by value of the major from October - May (see the temperature
crops grown is given in Fig. 7.7. requirements given on page 111). The soil is rich
in alluvium and the land is flat or undulating.
Percentage However, the waterlogged areas of the Indus Plain
Crops
share by value are not suitable for the cultivation of wheat.

1) Wheat 39.22
2) Cotton 24.61
3) Rice 15.37
4) Sugar-cane 11.68
5) Maize 5.39
6) Oilseeds 1.29
7) Tobacco 0.42
8) Others 2.02
TOTAL 100.00
Fig. 7.7 Percentage share of Major Agricultural Crops (2011-12).

Wheat is the most important crop in Pakistan and

is the most extensively grown. The acreage of
wheat varies from place to place, depending on the
type of soil, availability of water and climatic
cond itions. Fig. 7.9 Ripe Wheat.

Main Crops

Wheat N KEY

Wheat is a staple food used in the D Main regions

manufacture of bread (Roti) and a variety r D Secondary regions

of baked products. Low grades of wheat D Minor regions

..,... - Provincial boundary
and by-products of the flour- milling are I

used as feed for livestock.

The canal irrigated areas of Punjab and

Sindh meet most of the requirements for
wheat. The temperature is favourable Memorize main areas of
Wheat cultivation

A wheat field in Punjab. The photograph shows

wheat crop in its early stages of ripening. Fig.7.10 Wheat Regions.
~------------------------------------------------------~
,
The cultivation of which crop, wheat, cotton
or rice, is the most dispersed? I
 In some parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the
Potwar Plateau, where winter rainfall is sufficient
and the dissected landscape makes irrigation
difficult, wheat is grown on barani (rain-fed) lands.
Wheat is grown in very few areas of Balochistan
and on a limited scale. Infertile soil, rugged
topography and limited water supply do not support
the cultivation of wheat.

i) Describe the cultivation

Cultivation of Wheat of Wheat. [4]
In October - December, after ploughing the field,
wheat seeds are sown directly into the ground. Many landlords prefer wheat harvesting to be done by
Unlike rice, wheat does not need a lot of water. manual labour than machine due to availability of cheap
labour In the Indus Plain. It is cost effective compared to
Most of the farmers irrigate the land twice. The first using machines. Why is an increase in wheat
irrigation is done one month after sowing and the production important? [3]
second irrigation takes place one month before However, despite the government's efforts, Pakistan
harvesting. Wheat is harvested after three months. is rarely self-sufficient in wheat because of:
At the time of harvesting, a lot of labour is required. • ever increasing population
Chaff is separated from the grain. The grain is then • gradual decrease in cultivable area due to
stored by the farmer for the use of his family or waterlogging and salinity (discussed in detail in
transported to the market. Unit 3.)
k) Describe the cultivation of wheat on a 'Barani' farm. [4]
j) Explain how yield of wheat can be increased. [3]
The yield of wheat has gradually increased in Cultivation of Wheat on a Barani Farm
Pakistan with the introduction of new wheat varieties
Wheat is cultivated on barani small-scale
and improved farming methods. There is some
subsistence farms of the Potwar Plateau and Upper
improvement in the water management system to
Indus Plain. As irrigation facilities are not used, the
cut down water losses from the canals to the fields.
whole cultivation process is adjusted according to
Chemical fertilizers are becoming more widely used
seasonal rainfall and temperature. Sowing begins
and the government is providing loans on easy
in the dry season of October to December when
installments to purchase agricultural machinery like
the average temperature is 15°C. As the rainfall is
tractors. To increase wheat production, a support
from 13 to 32 mm the seeds get little moisture when
price is also implemented.
the growing period starts. The temperature drops
further to SOC in January and rainfall increases to
34 mm in January and 60 mm in March. The wheat
crop grows in rainfall
fro m w est ern Mean Monthly Mean Monthly
precipitation in mm
depressions which tempcraturein"C

is in light showers JHELUM

50°
which are absorbed I--------~ 250

into the soil. In the 40°

1-----
------< 200

harvesting period 30° f---~~ 150

( A P r i I - May) 20° -'\-----< 100

temperature rises 10° 50

from 25°C to 31°C
which helps in the
ripening of wheat, A growth harvesting sowing
period period period
Many of the small-scale subsistence farmers separate the little rainfall in April
- Mean Monthly Temperature in °c
wheat from the chaff in much the same way as their
forefathers have done for centuries. The crop is first crushed
(37 mm) helps in Mean Monthly precipitation in rnm
and then thrown into the air. Chaff blows away in the wind swelling the wheat
and wheat falls to the ground. grain. LF~ig~._7_.1_3 ~
 .. --

l) Explain the difference between subsistence and cash crop

.

farming. [6]
• Only Potwar Plateau and some parts of Khyber
Small-scale
Cash crop farm Pakhtunkhwa are rain-fed regions.
subsistence farm

Land is ploughed with a Tractor may be used

Soil m) Explain how soil can affect the growth of wheat. [3]
traditional wooden plough for ploughing. • Moderately stiff loamy or clayey soil but does
with a pair of bullocks. not thrive if there is stagnant water.
• Flat or undulating ground to facilitate the use
Well irrigation (Charsa/ Normally canal water of machinery.
Persian Wheel) or is arranged.
• Land must be well drained.
rainwater is used.

Harvesting is done by Reapers and Threshing

manual labour. Grain is machines or Combine
separated from the chaff harvesters may be
by animal power. used.

Cow-dung is Chemical fertilizers

used as manure. may be used.
Methods of cultivation on a small-scale subsistence farm differ from
the ones on a cash crop farm.

Explain what factors make those areas for major producers of wheat. [4]

Geographical Requirements - WHEAT

Temperature
• Mild temperature 10°C - 20°C at the time of
growing and warm 25°C - 30°C for ripening.
• Needs at least 90 days and preferably, for
better varieties, 120 days growing period with
mild, moist weather.

Rainfall
• Moderate rainfall. A little rain just before the
harvest swells the grain and ensures a better
yield.
• Mostly depends on irrigation.
Fig.7.15 Wheat is grown on commercial farms in Sindh & Punjab.
Many of the commercial farmers get loans from the
government to buy tractors. The tractor shown here is
operating a combine harvester. The threshed wheat falls
into the sacks by the man who is standing.

Varieties of Wheat
At present 90% of the area under wheat cultivation
is given to high-yielding varieties. The yield per
hectare of these is about twice that of local or Desi
varieties. Maxi Pak is one of the most widely used
varieties in Pakistan.

Research centres have been set up by the

government to undertake research on high-yielding
Fig. 7.14 On a small-scale subsistence farm, a bullock cart is used for varieties of wheat. Fig. 7.16. shows one such
transportation of harvest from the field to the threshing site.
The photograph shows an overloaded traditional bullock cart. research centre.
 by draft animals or by a mechanical thresher
depending on the size of the farm and wealth of
the farmer. After threshing, rice is taken to the rice
mills for polishing and packing. Rice husks are used
for making cardboard or covering roofs of houses
after mixing it with mud and water.

Production of Rice

Rice is grown almost exclusively on irrigated land.

Improvements in irrigation facilities have increased
the area under cultivation resulting in more
production. The use of the Irri Pak variety has also
doubled the production of rice. Export, particularly
of high-quality bas mati rice, has increased over the
Fig. 7.16 Varieties of wheat seeds being tested in research
laboratories. years.

Rice
Fig.7.17 A flooded rice field in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Preparing the
Rice is important as foreign exchange is earned rice field by using animal power is a tiring job for old farmers.

from its export.

n) Explain why rice cultivation is labour intensive.

Cultivation You should develop your answer. [4]

Rice is normally grown on a large scale for

commercial purposes in Punjab and Sindh. In the
northern hilly regions small-scale subsistence rice
farming is practised on terraced fields.

Rice seeds are initially sown into beds or nurseries.

When the plant is about 9 inches high, it is
transplanted into the prepared (ploughed, weeded)
fields which have been flooded to a depth of 30 -
37 cm. The rice fields are kept full of water until the
rice is ripe. The water is then drained off for
harvesting to begin. Threshing of rice is either done Fig.7.18 Rice threshing on a traditional farm.
 N Cotton
i D
D
KEY
Main regions

Secondary regions ,~
.,,
..
,
1" .••"- .•••••

Cotton, "the king of fibre," is the most

widely used textile fibre in Pakistan. It is
.. ,-.
I

Provincial boundary
,-, I
"
,, used for making clothes, furnishing fabrics,
\
I, I'
I
bed linen and industrial fabrics. Cotton ;s
7'" a kharif crop sown in April - May and
,) harvested in October - November.
,,,
,,
"
\
\
Cultivation of Cotton
/ o) Describe how cotton is processed from a farm to factory. [6]
,
I

Cotton seeds are sown at a distance apart

of 30cm-45cm in April-May. One month later
the fields are irrigated. A second irrigation
takes place after a further two months.
Cotton bolls ripen in the dry months of
October and November. The plant reaches
a height of up to 135cm-150 cm. The size
of the cotton boll depends on the variety of
seed and application of fertilizer. After
Fig.7.19 Rice Regions. picking, cotton bolls are loaded onto trucks
immediately and transported to ginning
mills where the seeds are separated from the lint
Geographical Requirements - RICE (fluffy mass of fibres inside the cotton bolls). Cotton
seeds are used as animal feed and for the
extraction of oil. Cotton lint is tied up in bales for
Temperature
further processing. If the soil is enriched with
• Mean temperature of 20°C to 30°C
with no cold season.
• A warm dry period for harvesting. KEY

Rainfall N
D Main regions
D Secondary regions
• Heavy rainfall of at least 1270mm
but over 2000mm is ideal.
• Irrigation bridges the rainfall gap.
i D Minor regions
\
,--
, Provincial boundary

o
• Requires plenty of rain during the I
km
4-6 months growing period and a
sunny harvesting time.

Land and soil

• Level ground because flat fields
can be more easily irrigated.
• Soil should be loamy or clayey.
• An impervious sub-soil is essential
as it is retentive of water. Nausharo
Firoz ----\--T_'

Human inputs
• Requires cheap and abundant
labour or adequate machinery
for field preparation, sowing,
transplanting and harvesting.
• Irrigation Fig. 7.20 Cotton Regions.

~ Now do Skills Book page 20.

I
 p) Describe how can human inputs increase
cotton production. [4]
fertilizers and locusts do not attack the crop, yields Human Inputs
upto 700 kg. per hectare can be expected. • Use of agricultural machinery speeds up the
process.
• Automati c cotton-p icki ng mach i n es are
Geographical Requirements - corrON useful, but in Pakistan most picking is done
by cheap and patient human labour, mainly
Temperature women.
• The ideal temperature for cotton cultivation is • Pesticides and insecticides are needed and
25°C to 35°C. Mild night temperatures are better aerial sprays are also used.
for the development of the bolls. For harvesting, • Irrigation
day temperatures of 25°C-35°C are best with • Fertilizers
dry and sunny days.
• Cotton is sensitive to frost. Lasbela: A new cotton producing region
Cotton cultivation had been restricted to Punjab
Rainfall and Sindh but in 1998 - 1999 the Lasbela
• Ample rainfall is preferred, about 1000 mm, district of Balochistan has emerged as another
coming in frequent showers with sunny periods cotton growing area. The vast and virgin lands
in between. of Balochistan have great potential for cotton
• When moisture is less than cultivation, if irrigation facilities could be
500mm, irrigation is necessary. (In Pakistan, it provided.
is cultivated on irrigated land).

Fig. 7.21 Cotton picking is done by women who are employed on

commercial terms by the landlords of Sindh and Punjab.
They work for daily wages.

• Rain at picking spoils the boll from which the q) Why some times cotton yield is not sufficient? [2]
lint is extracted. What harms the Cotton Crop?
Soil The cotton boll is sensitive as it nears harvesting.
• Medium loam is best. It is greatly affected by the rise in day and night
• Needs natural manure or chemical fertilizer to temperatures and susceptible to leaf-curl virus
maintain the fertility of the soil, otherwise crop and fruit shedding. In 1999, the Agricultural
rotation must be practised. Department, Punjab, came up with a cotton-breeding
programme emphasizing medium to tall plants,
Land
resistant to the leaf-curl virus which has been the
• Level land is required.
major cotton disease over the past few years.
) the

are
4 ,0 0 cotton
fone
ainly
bales produced
and in Bal chistan
By Our Staff Reporter

KARACHI, Feb 4: The growers of

Lasbela district of BalOchistan have
successfully produced 30,100 tons
to 40,000 bales of cotton this year,
1 breaking the two-province monop-
iiab oly over the commodity for the first
time. Encouraged by this develop-
'efa ment, Karachi Cotton Association
her (KCA) has suggested that vast and
virgin lands of Balochistan 1te used
'"Ids to increase the size of the cotton
ton crop.
Fig. 7.23
be
to grow so that they can be harvested in the following
Varieties of Cotton year.

• Old varieties: (Pak Upland, Desi ) Cutting sugar-cane requires manual labour. After
• High-yielding varieties; (Nayyab 78, B-557, cutting the crop, it is immediately transported to
149-F) the sugar mills located near the sugar-cane field.

High-yielding varieties produce an increase both

in quantity and in the size of the boll. PARe
(Pakistan Agricultural Research Council) is trying
KEY
to develop varieties which are resistant to leaf-
curl virus and are less sensitive to temperature. D Main regions

Fig. 7.22 shows a research centre where cotton D Secondary regions

varieties are being tested. D Minor regions

, ,-- Provincial boundary
.'
sugar-cane
Sugar-cane is an important crop from which sugar,
brown sugar and Gur are made.

Cultivation of Sugar-cane
q) What happens to sugarcane from field to factory? [6]
Sugar-cane stalks 30 cm high are planted in
April - May. A distance of 30 cm is kept between
~. each stalk. The quality and height of sugar-
'1t cane depends on the frequency of irrigation
'S and application of fertilizers, especially potash. If
31 the land is well irrigated then the plants rise up to
g the height of 6-7.3 feet and the crop can be
;, rattooned and so harvested for 2 - 3 successive
e years. After the sugar-cane is harvested it sends
Fig.7.25 Sugar-cane Regions.
up new shoots called ratoons and these are left

~ Now do Skills Book page 21.

If the transportation of the sugar-cane is slightly
OTHER CROPS
delayed, the sugar content is reduced and starts
losing weight.
Maize
At the sugar mill the cane is scrubbed with chalk
Maize is a kharif crop. It is a food grain as well as
to remove the smell and dirt. After extracting the
a raw material for edible oil production. It is used
juice by crushing the cane through heavy rollers,
in the manufacture of cornflour, custard powder
the juice is further processed to produce 'white
and other processed foods. It is also used as fodder
sugar'. In villages 'gur' and 'brown sugar' are
for animals and poultry.
also prepared from the sugar juice.
r) Name two by-products of sugarcane. [2]
Bagasse and molasses are two major by-products N
left over during the processing of sugar-cane.
Bagasse is a fibre left over after the sugar-cane is
crushed. It is used to make paper, chipboard and
i 0
KEY
Main regions
Secondary regions
0
animal feed. s) Explain the importance of bye products .., ... - Provincial boundary
of sugarcane. [4] .'
Molasses is the liquid left over after the crystallization o 100
L---....J

of sugar. It is a valuable raw material for the km

production of citric acid, cattle feed, bakers yeast,

synthetic rubber, etc. The yield of sugar-cane is
approximately 37.5 tonnes per hectares.

(Molasses is a raw material for the chemical industry.

It is traditionally used as a fuel in sugar factories.
Boilers are used to produce steam for the generation
of power to run machinery in sugar mills.)
Why are these areas suitable for the cultivation of sugar-cane? [4]

Geographical Requirements
SUGAR-CANE

Fig.7.26 Maize Regions.

Temperature ~

• Requires temperatures of 25°C-35°C.

• Tolerant to frost for a short period. Geographical Requirements - MAIZE
Rainfall

• Requires plenty of rainfall-1520 mm and Temperature

therefore, in Pakistan, irrigation is essential to • Requires high temperatures upto 35°C
bridge the gap.
Rainfall
Soil • Between 50-500 mm

• Can be grown in a variety of soils. Loam and Soil

clay soils with silt are most suitable as they • Can be grown on porous soil
retain the water.
• Consumes a lot of nutrients and exhausts the Pulses
soil.
• Application of manure and fertilizers containing Pulses are rich in proteins and they are popular in
nitrogen, phosphorous and potash is needed the local diet. Pulses fix nitrogen in the soil, thereby

I~ every year.

Now do SkHl, Book page 22.

helping to fertilize the crop that follows.
Generally pulses are considered as low value Area of Cultivation
crops so the farmer pays little attention to them
other than scattering seeds on the land. When the Tharparkar (Sindh), Kohat (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
crops are harvested, very little care is taken because Attock, Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Sargodha, Dera Gazi
the cash returns are low and consequently inputs Khan, Bahawalpur etc.
are minimal. Important pulses are:
Oilseeds t) Name some of the oil seed grown in
• Mung • Mash Pakistan. [2]
• Grams • Masoor
Oil seeds like sunflower, soya bean, rape seed,
mustard, sarson, rai, sesame, linseed and castor
seed are used to extract edible oil. Linseed and
KEY castor seeds have industrial uses.
0 Main regions

0 Secondary regions
N
,
,-- Provincial boundary

r o 100
L---...J N KEY
km
0 Main regions

0 Secondary regions

,,-- Provincial boundary

o
I

Fig.7.27 Pulse Regions.

Millets Fig.7.28 Oilseeds Regions.

Jowar and bajra are two millets produced. They

are fodder for animals, poultry and are also used However, the production of oilseeds is not
as a food crop. sufficient to cater for the needs of the growing
Millets are coarser cereals when ground into flour. population. The domestic requirement has
almost doubled during the last 7 - 8 years with the
high population growth. About 32% of the demand
Geographical Requirements - MILLETS for edible oil is met through local production with
the remaining 68% being imported.

Temperature Tobacco
D D
• 30 C- 35 C
Tobacco is grown mainly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,
Rainfall which accounts for about 65% of the total production.
• Does not require much rain; is drought resistant. Mardan and Peshawar are the main tobacco-
growing regions. The balance is cultivated between
Soil Sialkot, Gujranwala and Multan.
• Can be grown on poorer sandy soils.
Why are fruit crops grown in Why are fruit crops grown
mountain valleys? [2] mainly for local use? [2]
Tobacco can be grown in a variety of climatic c. Livestock Farming in i
conditions but its export varieties are grown on
Pakistan
fertile soil with irrigation facilities.
u) Name main fruits grown in Pakistan. [2] Rearing animals is one of the oldest and most
Fruit Farming common occupations in Pakistan. Normally every
v) Describe the main fruit growing regions. [4] village has its grazing field, or 'Shamilat', where
Fruits are grown in many areas in Pakistan and are
cattle, goats and sheep are allowed to graze.
sold in the market places of villages, towns and
cities as well as being important in the diet as a Farmers who own bullocks, cattle, buffaloes or
subsistence food. In addition to areas devoted to sheep are considered as respectable people in the
fruit, it is common to see fruit trees in and around traditional village set up. Livestock constitutes an
fields of other crops. A wide variety of fruits are important part of rural life (Fig. 7.29).
grown according, especially, to climatic conditions.
Dates are important in oases settlements like Miri
and Sharak near Turbat in the Kech valley of the
Makran where they not only provide vital nutritious
food but also provide shelter to crops growing in
the small karez-fed fields they surround. In Khairpur
District large areas are devoted to dates.
Explain the ideal natural growing conditions needed to grow bananas in Pakistan. You should develop your answer. [4]
Bananas are also an important and nourishing food
crop. There are many farms in the region to the
south and east of Hyderabad which devote areas
to the crop. This region in Sindh and the south-east
of Punjab are well known for growing Pakistan's
favourite fruit, the mango. Festivals celebrate the
mango harvest in many places. Fig.7.29 Livestock subsistence farming by settled people. The family
owns two animals that work as draught power on the farm.
The man is washing the bull with some water from a bucket.
Oranges and other citrus fruits are grown in many A structure made of reeds and bushes can be seen which
provides shade to the animals.
parts of central and eastern Punjab. Favoured areas
within the valleys of northern Balochistan, where
temperatures are lower, grow almonds, apples, Livestock farming is also considered as a system
apricots and grapes, notably the Pishin and with inputs, processes and outputs either as
Mastung valleys. Apples and apricots are important subsistence or commercial farming. In subsistence
to the people of Swat, Hunza, the scattered farming, animals are reared to be consumed by
settlements of Baltistan and other parts of the the people who rear them. In commercial farming,
Northern Mountains. Other than Swat almonds are animals are reared for sale. There are three types
also grown. of subsistence livestock farming.

i) Nomadic
Describe 'nomadic' farming. [4]
Nomadic people in Balochistan and the desert areas
of Punjab and Sindh practise subsistence livestock
farming. They move from place to place along with
their animals in search of food and water. Normally
they rear sheep, goats and camels. Sheep and
goats provide them with food in the form of milk
and meat and camels carry their loads for long
distances. If they find any grazing ground or water
source, they settle down for weeks to allow their
animals to get fodder and water.

I
ii) Transhumance iii) Settled
Transhumance is the system of livestock farming Subsistence livestock farming is also practised
in which the animals are kept on pastures high up in the villages of Punjab and Sindh. Cows and
in the mountains in summer and brought down to hens are kept for milk and eggs to be consumed
lower pastures in winter. In areas with severe winters by the family. Excess milk is processed to make
at lower levels, the animals are often kept in sheds. butter or ghee, which are important components
This system is common in the Northern Mountains of their diet.
but is also practised in some parts of the Western
Mountains as well. Goats, sheep and cattle are the
main animals farmed in this way. To use the highest
Inputs Processes Outputs
pastures in the Karakoram and Himalayas yak and
dzu (a cross between yak and cattle) are reared. · Natural
grazing fields · Natural
breeding · Milk

Meat, dairy products and wool are the main outputs for fodder.
· Meat

:·
Feeding For the
all of which may be sold if there is any excess over
subsistence needs.
· Water from
ponds &
· Milking
I~ • Wool use of
family
lakes. manually
· Eggs

· Open land
· Slaughtering

· Labour-
women &
children of the
· Shearing
wool from
sheep
family.

Fig.7.32 Subsistence livestock farming as a system.

Subsistence livestock farming is defined as a system

in Fig. 7.32. with inputs, processes and outputs.

The inputs used are mainly derived from nature

and the processes followed are the traditional ones.
The outputs are minimal. Occasionally, the wool or
meat is sold to buy more animals and other
Fig.7.30 The photograph shows the herdsmen in Chitral (Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa) The exchange of livestock by the pastoralists necessities of life.
near the town of Chitral in the Hindu Kush Mountains.
Transhumance also takes place in these areas. The barren
mountains and overgrazed landscape can also be seen in
the photograph.
Livestock Farming on a
Commercial Farm
Commercial livestock farming is practised either
on a small scale by private owners or on large
scale by government owned or military farms.
However, the bulk of the livestock products are still
supplied by small-scale private owners, though they
do not use all the scientific methods. Urban supplies
of milk still come mainly from buffalo herds in the
cities themselves. Such dairy farms, kept on vacant
plots and often lacking appropriate drainage or
water supplies, constitute a land use incompatible
Fig. 7.31 The photograph shows a settled small-scale subsistence
with modern hygienic city life. Fodder has to be
livestock farmer in a small village of northern areas. Rearing brought in from the nearest crop growing area,
of buffaloes on the flat tracks of mountainous terrain is a
common practice. The livestock products not only fulfill the often by heavily overloaded lorries. A valuable by-
basic needs of the family, but the surplus is also sold in the
market to generate income for the family. product, cattle dung, is collected and dried in

I
 With increasing urbanization and the high rate 01 M
Inputs Processes Outputs population growth, the importance of livestock is

· Farms with
· Feeding
· Milk no longer limited to the rural areas. The urban
•
II
animal
ponds,
fodder
sheds,
and
rooms · Breeding
· Meat
population also depends on the livestock sector for
their food and other requirements. Fig. 7.35 points
•
· Processed · Milking by
suction
!) · Wool
I>
For
Sale out the general importance of livestock farming.
fodder with
important
machines
· Eggs

·
nutrients
Specialized
· Extracting
hides & wool · Hides

·
labour
Veterinary
facilities
· Preserving
with
refrigerating

· Storage and
processing
facilities for ·
facilities

Packing (on
Profit

some farms)
animal Draught power / Contributes
products in the I 10% to Gross
t traditional / Domestic
fields Product
Profit invested back into farm
c
Fig. 7.33 Commercial livestock farming as a system with improved
Supply of nutritious Contribution to
inputs, processes and outputs.
food for the people Raw material for exports of
(milk, ghee, butter, domestic industry livestock
cheese, eggs, meat) of processed
products
milk, leather
circular cakes plastered on any convenient wall manufactures,
and sold to the market to be used as manure or processed meat &
milk products
domestic fuel.
Fig. 7.35 Importance of livestock farming.
However, there are some notable exceptions such
Explain why livestock is an important part of the agricultural sector. To what
as Australian designed dairy farms for Islamabad extent is it possible to develop livestock farming further in Pakistan? [6]
and Karachi, the Government Dairy Farm for Quetta
Importance of Livestock
and many other military farms. To boost livestock
production, scientific breeding methods, such as Livestock is an important agricultural sector:
cross-breeding to increase fertility rates, and better 1. Animals are used as draught power in the
nutritional diets are in use on many of the farming process. They help in ploughing,
government farms. Early weaning diets have also threshing and harvesting the crops. They also
been introduced for rearing buffalo and cow calves transport materials from one place to another
to save milk for human consumption. To improve and are used for turning the Persian wheel.
veterinary facilities, personnels are trained and new 2. Livestock is a source of food. Cows and
methods (Fig. 7.34) are used on selected farms. A-2
buffaloes provide milk which is also processed
into butter and ghee. Goats and cattle are
slaughtered to provide meat and their dung is
used both as manure and as domestic fuel.
Eggs and chickens are also considered as high
quality food.
3. The livestock sector provides raw material to
domestic industries such as hides, skins, wool,
animal hair and bones which are used in
industries like carpet, leather products, footwear
A-2 and rugs.
4. Some of these products, especially those
associated with cottage industries have a good
demand in international markets. Their
percentage share of exports is around 13%.
5. Livestock contributes about 10% to the GDP.

Development of the livestock Increasing crop production

sector is the best way to and cultivable area is the
~ Now do Skills Book page 23. A-2 B-2 best way of ensuring there is
increase the amount of food
available in Pakistan. enough food in Pakistan.
Main Livestock Resources Types of Buffaloes
• Nili bar • Kundi • Ravi
• Cattle (Bullock & Cow) • Buffaloes
• Sheep & Goats • Poultry Buffaloes produce about 70% of the total milk
supply. They also produce meat and are slaughtered
Cattle Breeds when they stop producing milk or are old. Buffaloes
I I like to remain in water most of the time and the
I canal irrigated areas of the Punjab and Sindh are
Bhagnari Dhani Red Sindhi Sahiwal Thari
Plains
best suited to them. Explain why buffalo are not
of Sindh Northern
Lower reared in Balochistan. [3]
Sindh Punjab Tharparkar
& Punjab Mountains
Sheep and Goats
t
Draught Power Provide Milk Draught Power & Milk Sheep and goats are kept primarily for their wool
Fig. 7.36 and meat. Mutton is preferred over beef and it has
great demand in urban areas. Sheep and goats are
Cattle sure-footed and can survive in a variety of natural
topological and climatic environments. They do not
Cattle are the most common farm animals. They need large grazing fields and can nibble thin grass.
are assisted by camels and mules to plough, carry Sheep and goats are well distributed in all areas
fodder and workers from one place to another on from the mountainous and rugged landscape of
the farm. They also supply meat and milk. the Northern Area, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and
Balochistan to the Thai, Thar and Cholistan deserts.
Fig. 7.36 shows the breeds of cattle with their The nomadic people of Balochistan move around
notable functions and the areas in which they are with their sheep and goats. However, the
particularly found. Traditionally, cattle rearing is a government of Pakistan discourages goats because
matter of pride and prestige for farmers. Cattle are they overgraze the land and they cause soil erosion.
an important part of farms and are well distributed
in most areas. Only in the rugged mountains of Poultry
Balochistan and arid areas of the Thar Desert are
there few cattle. Poultry products include chicken and eggs. Demand
for poultry products has greatly increased in recent
Buffaloes years with the increase in population. People also
prefer to eat white meat (chicken) as it is healthier.
Buffaloes are the main source of milk and meat. In recent years many commercial poultry farms
They are not important as work animals. Some have been built to satisfy the growing demand.
breeds of buffaloes are famous for their good supply
of milk. Problems of Livestock
Livestock is an important sector of the economy
but it has not been developed to international
standards. The main problems regarding the
proper utilization of the potential animal wealth
are shown in Fig. 7.38.

Development Strategy for Livestock

in Pakistan
To promote the livestock and poultry industry, the
government has provided the following incentives:
• Selective breeding and cross breeding for better
A herd of buffalo and some local children bathe in a unlined
irrigation canal. quality animals.
The government has encouraged the growth of commercial poultry farming since 1964. There have been some challenges but different
strategies have been introduced to further develop this type of farming in Pakistan.
Evaluate the extent to which commercial poultry farming in Pakistan has overcome its challenges and developed further. Give reasons to
support your judgment and refer to examples you have studied. You should consider the challenges and the strategies used in your answer. [6]

Few veterinary N
How can livestock
hospitals & Key
farming be improved in
vaccination
facilities.
Pakistan? [6] 1 - - - --
Main cattle areas
District boundary

Grazing unirrigated
t Lack of grazing
--
,,-
International boundary

fields causes soil grounds for cattle

,, Provincial boundary

erosion by wind I--- P f-------->. and sheep lead to

when they dry out. R overgrazing.
o Explain how natural factors can create problems for
B
buffalo farmers. You should develop your answer. [4]
L
Unhygienic E High prices of
conditions in animal M animal feed. Difficult
husbandry lead to to keep in cities,
-- 5 ~ near their market
unhealthy animals.
o
F
hatchery
Inefficient marketing
Primitive breeding L system of milk and
\
methods result in I <;
f-----.. other products
low quality
animals.
-- V
E
leads to less profit
and low investment
I
5
T
in inputs.
r: --I l_{
o --\...
C Gap in price of ( "
Insufficient
breeding for K
-+
livestock
products in rural
','-'
•. Tharparkar
'" \
quality :' ~
& urban area.
,.....!...-""""----,~,
, km ~I=+=1=1 ==I1===lt kill
( 50 50 100 150

Inadequate Fig. 7.40 Main Cattle Areas.

facilities for
storage of meat.

Fig. 7.38 N
Key

• Programmes to fatten cows for milk and meat. 1 Main sheep areas
- - - - - District boundary
• Control of diseases and better animal husbandry International boundary
practices. Provincial boundary

• Improvement in livestock research farms.

• Improvement in vaccination facilities.
• Cultivation of fodder crops to turn agricultural (- --"
S Wazl(3stan~
lands into grazing fields.

I
7
r
I _
~v

Fig.7.39 Livestock training in the classroom in order to encourage

and improve livestock farming. National Agricultural Research
Council (NARC) trains personnel by imparting knowledge
and skills in breeding methods, animal nutrition and animal

I
health. Fig. 7.41 Main Sheep Areas.

$ 'Ii Now do Skills Book page 24.

 N FACTORS AFFECTING FARMING
Key
Main buffalo areas
- - - - - District boundary
International boundary

Provincial boundary

Fig. 7.44 Factors affecting Agricultural Production in Pakistan.

\ Factors Affecting Agricultural

'-,
1
Production State two natural inputs necessary for wheat
production, and for each explain its importance.
you should develop your answer. [5]
7
Pakistan is predominantly an agricultural country
with a variety of crops being grown. Farmers'
decisions about which crop to grow or which animal
to rear and what method to use to produce the
output, depend upon an understanding of the most
favourable physical and human factors (Fig. 7.44).
Fig.7.42 Main Buffalo Areas.

Natural (Physical) Factors

Describe how environmental factors can harm the cotton crop. [4]
N
Topography Explain the problems for
Key agriculture in KPK province. [4]
r Main goat areas
Usually the flatter the land, the larger and more
----- District boundary
-- International boundary efficient is the farm. The photograph Fig. 7.46 shows
,,-- Provincial boundary a large flat farm near Peshawar which is well suited

\
'-,

(' -- / .. - - - •..
\ _:angha~
I \

,
<> :'

"~ Tharparkar
,
,
I I I km
50 100 150 Mountainous regions are far more difficult for farming than
the plain areas because the land has to be levelled to make
Fig.7.43 Main Goat Areas. terraced fields.

I
for farming. The more valuable crops like wheat, Water including Rainfall
cotton and sugar-cane are successfully cultivated
on these flat lands. Large commercial farms are The areas located to the north, including the Potwar
Plateau, receive adequate rainfall. For most of the
rare in the mountainous regions and large areas of
year this area tends to produce crops without
such farms there are non-existent. Output tends to
irrigation and has good grazing for animals. The
decline as the land get steeper and higher (Fig. 7.45).
drier areas towards the south and east are only
suited to arable farming with the help of irrigation.
Water for irrigation comes from the snow-fed and
monsoon-fed rivers flowing from the Northern
Mountains or from groundwater, sometimes from
deep underground.

Temperature
In the northern areas, the length of the growing
season is limited from April to September whereas,
in the sunnier south, cereals and fruit can ripen
throughout the year.
Explain how climatic hazards
Pests and Diseases may destroy or reduce the yield
of cotton on farms. [4]
Pests and diseases are likely to attack crops if
preventative and curative measures are not taken.
What is alluvial soil?Explain why
Soils alluvial soil is good for crop growth. [4]
This problem is more common for small-scale
subsistence farmers than for the large cash crop
Rich soils produce high farming output. Alluvial farmers. The small-scale subsistence farmers
and Loess (fine soil deposited by wind) are best cannot afford to buy pesticides and insecticides.
suited for farming. An attack by pests and diseases reduces agricultural
output. Sometimes a farmer's whole crop may be
The River Indus and its tributaries spread alluvium destroyed, leaving him in distress.
on their banks making the soil rich and fertile. Since
the building of the dams and barrages this does Human Factors
not happen so often. Soils that are rich in humus
are also best for farming. Although Pakistan's soil
Irrigation Facilities
lacks organic matter this deficiency can be met If rainfall is not sufficient or reliable, farming can
by using nitrogenous fertilizers. These are making still thrive with irrigation. Even in humid regions,
soils suitable for cultivation of many crops. irrigation is used to improve yields. The development

THE PLOUGH
The modern tractor plough has a number
of blades, or shares. In a typical plough,
the share cuts a furrow through the soil; ~
the mould board then turns the soil and Early ploughs

y
breaks it up. There are also disc and rotary
ploughs. The first ploughs
were stick-plouqhs,
pulled and pushed by the 1
farmers themselves.

Fig. 7.47

I
$~ Now do Skills Book page 24.
"'-
of irrigation systems is discussed in Unit 3. Here it also generated non-farm employment. As a part of
is just emphasized that, with the extension of agricultural support, the Government provides a
irrigation facilities, crops can be grown twice or scheme of Green Tractors and tubewells to be
thrice a year and the cultivable area increases. financed through the Agricultural Development Bank
Some vegetable and salad crops can even be grown of Pakistan (ADBP), to provide tractors at
up to ten times in a year. Even the deserts of Sindh concessionary rates and in installments.
(Thar) and Punjab (Thai) have been reclaimed and
made productive. Recently, some areas of
FOR AGAINST
Balochistan have also been provided with irrigation
facilities e.g. Lasbela district.
I own a tractor. One of my sons If I get a loan for buying a
However, canal irrigation can also cause problems, is needed for the farm while the rest
of them are working in a workshop
tractor, my four sons will
have nothing to do!
for example those of waterlogging and salinity which after a polytechnic course.

have destroyed large cultivable areas in Sindh and

Punjab. There is an urgent need to implement
waterlogging and salinity control programmes in an
efficient and effective way. The installation of
tubewells is increasing in those areas where the Unemployment
water-table is high. Apart from supplying water for
irrigation, it also solves the problem of waterlogging
The government is providing I don't have money to buy
and salinity. (Details in Unit 3). loans for buying machinery on seeds, how can I afford
easy installments. to buy a tractor?

Despite having one of the best canal networks in

the world, there is huge wastage in the irrigation
process. Many of the canals were built during the
British period, and they need rehabilitation and
remodelling. Cleaning and maintenance of canals
is not done on a regular basis. A lot of water seeps
into the ground through the unlined canals causing
We have started a "Cooperative My farm size is too small
water wastage. In order to have a better yield, a Farming Scheme" in our village to use tractors. Why
so that we can use farm should I waste money
regular supply of water to the fields is required. machinery.

Fertilizers ~
The application of fertilizers (traditional manure
or chemical fertilizers) has increased output.
Nitrogeneous fertilizers are used extensively. They
are 75% of the total fertilizers used, as the soils Fig.7.48 Mechanization Dialogue.
are deficient in organic matters. Phosphate and
potash constitute the remaining 25%. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using this machine? [4]

Mechanization (Fig. 7.48)

The introduction of machines like tractors, tillers,

combine harvesters, threshers, reapers and
transplanters for rice has increased agricultural
output but has led to a sharp decline in the number
of people employed in the agriculture sector.

Although farming is not fully mechanized, the

response to mechanization is encouraging. It has Fig. 7.49 Tractors have replaced human labour and traditional wooden
helped to increase the farmers' incomes by ploughs powered by bullucks on commercial farms in
Pakistan. A large area can be ploughed in a short time by
minimizing pre- and post- harvest losses. It has using machinery.

~ Now do Skills Book page 25.

I
 Explain why many farmers use HYVs
(High Yield Varieties) of seed. [4]

High-yielding Varieties Of Seeds (HYVs) The solution lies in consolidation of holdings. The
government has fixed the minimum holding at 5.0
The use of high-yielding varieties also increases hectares of irrigated land at the present level 01
output by 10 - 20%, if fertilizer is applied and technology (Holding Act 1960).
sufficient water is supplied. The HYVs are
extensively used on commercial farms. Some Plant Protection Programmes
important HYVs are:
Pests and insects inflict heavy losses on crops.
Plant protection programmes can be preventative
CROP HYVs
and curative. Preventative measures prepare
Wheat Maxipak, Shahkhan 95 treated seeds to be resistant to diseases and
Wadnak 95, Kohson 95 etc. protection measures include aerial and ground
Rice Basmati super, Irri 6 Rechna, Pajhal spraying with insecticides against pests and
diseases. (Fig. 7.50).
Sugar-cane IN - 88 - 1 to 3 Thatta - 10

Cotton Nayyab 78, B - 557, 149 - F

Sarmast Qalandri, elM - 70

Marketing of Agricultural Products

Agricultural marketing is the business activity
of directing agricultural produce from the farms
to the people who consume it. It includes
transportation, processing, storage, wholesale
and retail.

Agricultural marketing is disorganized with a lack

of transport facilities and a large number of
The Plant Protection Department maintains
intermediaries, resulting in an increase in costs and
vigilance surveys for the control of locusts in the
reducing output.
country, particularly in the desert areas. The public
Explain how farm size can affect production on farms sector provides pest scouting advisory services
Size of Farm in Pakistan. You should develop your answer. [4] and aerial spraying.
The size of a subsistence farm is small. Population
pressures and laws of inheritance have led to the Land Reforms
break-up of farms into small cultivation units. These
Pakistan inherited a land tenure system based on
small, fragmented farms are uneconomic. Their
feudalism. In 1947,7% of the landowners owned
drawbacks are:
53% of the land. These big landlords had little
• machinery cannot be used. incentive to cultivate all the land or to raise the
• small and fragmented holdings are difficult to productivity of the land. It was necessary to break
supervise.
up these landed assets to increase productivity and
• loans cannot be obtained to develop to provide security to landless peasants.
smallholdings.
• irrigation is difficult on small and discontinuous The government of Pakistan was aware of the
farms. importance of land reforms and a number of
• experiments cannot be carried out for increasing measures were taken to abolish the "Zamindari"
production. System. In 1948, a Land Reform Committee was
The output of a small holding is small so profits are formed which gave its recommendations to the
low. Owners of smallholdings are trapped in a government but they could not be approved because
vicious cycle. They are unable to improve their farm of the strong position of landlords in the National
inputs resulting in low production and low profit. and Provincial Assemblies.

$~...- Now do Skills Book page 26.

 • • • .
1. Ceiling of ownership • 60 hectares irrigated or 120 hectares • 40 hectares irrigated or 80 hectares
unirrigated unirrigated
• 200 hectares of irrigated or 400
hectares unirrigated.

2. Exemptions (a) All exemptions withdrawn except There were no exemptions. Owners
(a) 60 hectares of orchards for recognized educational with tractors or tubewells were allowed
institutions. an addition at 2000 PIUs (Per Index
(b) 200 hectares can be given as gift Units)
to heirs. (b) Shikargahs or hunting grounds
(historical) were taken by the state.
(c) Gift to female dependents of 67
hectares.

(d) No limit for recognized educational

institutions.

3. Compensation to Landlords. • No compensation for the land acquired • Compensation at a fixed value of Rs.
from landlords. 30 PIU (Per Index Unit).
• The recipient to pay the price of land
in installments at different slab rates.

4. Relations between landlord and (a) Resumed land distributed to • Land was distributed amongst the
tenants. tenants without making any tenants free of cost.
(a) The occupying tenants to get payment.
ownership of the resumed land
(lands taken over by the (b) No landlord could eject the
government from landlords) on tenant at his own will.
payment of the price of land
in installments. (c) The tenant was given first right
of purchase if the landlord sold
(b) The landlord could not eject the the land.
tenant as long as he fulfilled the
required conditions of tenancy.

5. Consolidation of holding • Consolidation of holdings, less than • Consolidation of holdings less than the
the minimum size continued. minimum size continued.
• A programme in different areas was
announced for consolidation of holdings
less than the minimum size.

Fig. 7.51 Land Reforms in Pakistan

There were three major land reforms introduced in The land transferred under various land reforms
1959,1972 and 1977. Land Reforms have had was simply a paper exercise. In real terms, the
more impact on agricultural
production. same landlords are still the owners of their lands
Effects of Land Reforms so the desired aims of the land reforms could not
be achieved.
The land reforms introduced by several governments
were aimed at increasing productivity by breaking These were:
the hold of the few landlords and by re-organizing • breaking the hold of the large landlords
the size of holdings to an economic level. • equitable distribution of land
Unfortunately, the desired results could not be • protection of the rights of tenants
achieved because of the half-hearted implementation • consolidation of holdings.
and the lack of political will. Many of the barani lands
in Pakistan have incomplete land records. In the Farming and the Environment
past they were transferred from one generation to
Although modern methods of farming have brought
the next without proper documentation. The big
great benefits to the people by increasing crop
landlords could easily manipulate the agencies
yield, unfortunately continuous and careless use
which were assigned the responsibility of
of these methods may damage our physical
implementing land reforms.
environment in many different ways.
Evaluate the extent to which different strategies used to increase agricultural production in Pakistan have
been successful. Give reasons to support your judgment and refer to examples you have studied. You should
consider different points of view in your answer. [6]
I
The use of Fertilizers and Pesticides on the river bed use up oxygen leaving insufficient
oxygen for fish life. (Fig. 7.53). The water in cities
The use of fertilizers has had
Fertilizers more impacts on agriculture may also be supplied from rivers. The toxic element
production. in water gradually affects human health and that
Chemical fertilizers are used to increase agricultural of livestock.
production by increasing soil fertility. In Pakistan,
the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides is Pesticides, a Hazard for Human Health
becoming increasingly popular among the farmers
as our soils lack nitrogenous matter. However, when Research has shown that the use of pesticides has
these chemicals drain into rivers, the river water weakened the human immune system. This can
gets polluted. The growth of algae and other plants happen if the pesticides remain in the crop which
is then eaten, or if farm workers come into contact
with the
pesticides
when using
them. The use
of pesticides
has opened a
way for
diseases like
gastro-i ntesti na I
infections,
tuberculosis
etc.

Plants limit
light to
river beds
 Q-box
In order to have sustainable agriculture, organic farming techniques should
be used rather than using chemical fertilizers.

Pakistan should set up more fertilizer factories to increase agricultural

production to meet the needs of its growing population.

Which statement do you agree with more? Give reasons for your answer and refer to places or
examples you have studied in Pakistan to support your answer.

The Removal of Vegetation In order to increase agricultural production, the

following measures are being taken by the
The removal of vegetation for making farming areas, government:
whether trees or smaller plants, can increase the • increasing the production of fertiliser to
risk of soil erosion by either running water or the encourage greater use of it,
wind. Soil erosion is limited if the crops are grown • the distribution of improved seeds and regulation
where the land has been ploughed. If the land is of the quality of seeds through government
left fallow once the growing season is over, soil departments,
erosion may increase. The removal of the upper • developing a plant protection programme
layer of soil decreases soil fertility. including regular checks for the detection of
pests, advisory services and making aerial
Irrigation sprays available,
• providing financial resources to the farming
The effects of irrigation on Pakistan's physical
community by issuing different schemes of
environment are not all positive. As you have read
agricultural credit which include;
in Unit 3, nearly half of the cultivable land is affected
• production and development loans,
by waterlogging and salinity.
• loans to small farmers,
In order to preserve the physical environment, the • a 'one window' operation (under this scheme,
modern techniques in farming must be used with all officials involved are available at one
all precautionary measures such as limiting the use place on each Monday and Thursday),
of chemicals, lining the canals and stopping the • making loans available for farm machinery.
unnecessary removal of vegetation.
Sustainable Development with
The Government's Efforts to Agriculture
B-2
Improve Agricultural Production Agriculture is one of the basic sectors of Pakistan's
Agriculture is the mainstay of Pakistan's economy. economy as it supplies food to the constantly
Nearly one fourth of the total output (GDP) and growing population, is a source of income for the
44% of total employment is generated in agriculture. rural population and provides raw material to a
It also contributes substantially to Pakistan's exports number of agro-based industries. Despite the
and provides raw material to industries. 67.5% of improvements in farming methods and
Pakistan's population lives in rural areas and is organizational set-ups during recent years, the
directly or indirectly associated with agriculture. maximum potential of agriculture has not been
Keeping in view the economic importance of utilized. This is due to a number of problems such as
agriculture, the government has identified it as one • land degradation as a result of waterlogging
of the major factors responsible for Pakistan's and salinity,
economic growth. • soil erosion,
• desertification,
• an inefficient marketing system.

I
 How can education and training help a small-scale farmer to
increase his output? You should develop your answer.[4]
Moreover the environmental problems, which are soil and plants could playa significant role in en
z
a result of modern farming practices, are not reversing the trend of using agro-chemicals. o
addressed and result in resource depletion and This technique can improve soil productivity and ~
en
pollution. quality and enhance crop production. This will w
eventually help to conserve natural resources =>
a
There are many ways of reducing rural poverty and and ultimately will create a more sustainable
raising agricultural productivity, while minimizing agriculture.
environmental damage. In order to develop • Reclamation of deserts with the help of irrigation
agriculture on a sustainable basis, a number of techniques.
steps could be taken e.g. • The avoidance of poor farming practices.
• The government and private institutions Subsistence farmers living in different
must develop new, highly productive and topographical regions have acquired
environmentally sustainable production invaluable traditional knowledge and
technologies and systems. cultivating techniques. If these are linked with
• The problems of waterlogging and salinity must modern technology they can contribute to
be addressed promptly to protect the cultivable developing sustainable farming systems. The
land through various schemes. key to further advances lies in coordination
• Soil management through afforestation projects between farmers and research services. This
is another measure to maintain the fertility of will help to discover environment-friendly
the soil by improving its organic contents. techniques for sustainable agriculture.
Moreover, to avoid soil erosion, the forests Connecting rural people to knowledge networks,
should not be cut down from the slopes of the particularly when allowing them to learn from
hills. Overcropping or multi-cropping should not each other, is essential for the development of
be allowed if it is leading to exhaustion of soil sustainable farming systems.
nutrients.
• There are many possible alternatives for the Sustainable agriculture is increasingly viewed as a
development of agricultural systems, such as long-term goal that seeks to supply maximum
organic farming, which stimulates bacteria in agricultural products to people on long-term basis
the soil to act as natural nutrients for the while protecting the environment.
fertilization of soil. Apparently, biological
techniques that use organic materials to improve ~ Now do Skills Book page 27.

Agricultural Development Unit 7

en
z 1. With reference to Pakistan, describe the types of agricultural systems.
o 2. Identify the differences between 'cash crops' and 'subsistence crops'. Fig.7·A
I--
en 10.000 ~-'-,---:---,-;-;--"'-:--:--"----'-----r~
w 3. How do the inputs, farming processes and the outputs differ on a
::l 'small-scale subsistence farm'
a from a 'cash crop farm'? 8,000 f--+~~=f----+---F-+--+~
4. a) Study Fig. 7-A, which shows the areas of cultivation for
four main crops in Pakistan.
i. Which crop covers the greatest area?
ii. What is the area covered by this crop?
iii. Name two other food crops grown in Pakistan not
shown on the graph.
b) i. Describe the methods of cultivation of wheat on
barani (rain-fed) lands.
ii. Explain the advantages and disadvantages to
wheat farmers of modern irrigation methods such
as perennial canals and tubewells. wheat rice maize sugar cane