The Explorer: Journal of Social Sciences

ISSN: 2411-0132, Vol-1, Issue (3):82-87

www.theexplorerpak.org

APATHY OF GOVERNMENT AND AGRICULTURAL INCONGRUENCE IN SAIGOLABAD,

PAKISTAN
Anwar Ul Haq1, Mahwish Zeeshan2, Farooq Abdullah3, Mehwish Ashrif4
Anthropologist, Department of Anthropology, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, 2Lecturer,
Department of Anthropology, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, 3University of Azad Jammu and
Kashmir, Muzaffarabad, 3Anthropologist, Department of Anthropology, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University,
Rawalpindi
Corresponding Author:
Anwar Ul Haq
PMAS Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi
Anwarulhaq21@yahoo.com
1

Abstract: The paper deals with the role of government in improving agricultural economy. The aim of paper is to
emphasize government measures to reduce prices of agricultural goods in improvements of production and develop
awareness programs for the farmers. These types of facilities will be helpful in increasing the yield and fulfilling the
countrys need as well as these crops may also be exported to the other countries to earn foreign exchange which will
increase the national income of Pakistan. The locale of the study was Saigolabad, Chakwal. The objective of the study
was to examine the government role in improving the agricultural economy. Both qualitative and quantitative research
design was employed. Snow ball sampling was applied on the sample size 100. Data was collected by using different
anthropological techniques. Quantitative collected data was analyzed through SPSS and the percentages and
frequencies were tabulated along the discussion. The qualitative collected data described thematically .

Key Words: Awareness Programs, Subsidized Seeds, Fertilizers and Medicines

INTRODUCTION
It is worth essential to perceive that Pakistan in the
wake of getting freedom in 1947 is currently one of
the crowded nations of the world. She claims to be
a farming nation yet then again imports rural items
even wheat from abroad. This circumstance
suggests a considerable measure of conversation
starters that the primary accentuation of the nation
is on agriculture yet at the same time level of
autonomy in agricultural necessities has not been
accomplished (Chaudhry and Chaudhry 2011).
Agricultural subsidies can take numerous
structures; however the most widely recognized
device is the exchange of financial rights, by and
large as immediate money by government to
farmers. The fundamental target of this money
related backing to lessen creation costs, which are
mostly as data sponsorship, for instance, inorganic
fertilizers or pesticides, watering system, power,
credit, seed or pay more cost for the farm yield as
contrast with the first market cost to give monetary
help to the agriculturists extraordinarily little scale
farmers (Lingard 2002).
Agricultural Policies Worldwide
The United States branch of farming gives money
endowment to their farmers and managers of farm
area ranges from 10 billion to 30 billion US dollars
every year (Edwards 2009). U.S. Division of farming

additionally offer appropriations for yield

protection, advertising backing and other rural
work, however there is a requirement for the
backing of little agriculturists to expand their
creation and expectations for everyday comforts.
New farming arrangement 2004 of Chinese
Government farmers would be encouraged by
giving direct installment for grain development,
farm equipment's, and excellent grain and soya
bean (Derpsch, et al. 2010). Around 25 billion
dollars were assigned for the system by the Chinese
government. The legislature likewise chose to
create provincial base like streets, power era, and
watering system to expand their expectations for
everyday comforts. India has made numerous
different moves to prosper their farming like giving
sponsorships in rural merchandise (Gokhale and
Sohoni 2012). The government is spending a
tremendous plan on the power sponsorships for
farming. It is one of the real enter sponsorships
given by the Indian government in farming part.
The government of Malawi presented a homedeveloped sponsorship program for little holders'
farmers. Malawi's agrarian data appropriation
project give a convincing illustration of a homedeveloped instrument to encourage extraordinary
utilization of seed, fertilizer and other rural inputs,
which come about more production(Chibwana, et

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al. 2012). Government of Myanmar coordinated

country advancement programs. In such projects
directed credit, agrarian credit and provincial credit
for target recipients like the little scale farmers
(Riehl 2008). Farmers input support programme
(FISP) was run in (MwembeshiChipwili), Chi-bombo
district of Zambia. In this program subsidies were
given to the small farmers in order to support them
(Bryceson 1999).
Government of Indonesia gives sponsorships to all
farmers and it has an incredible effect on rice
creation (Armas, et al. 2010). Sponsored manures
utilized as a part of satisfactory amounts and have a
positive and critical effect on rice yields.
Government of Sri Lanka gives compost
appropriations to over four decades. The
endowments composts have a positive effect on
rice creation and henceforth the rice is one of the
principle crops developed by farmers and has a vast
partake in economy of Sri Lanka (Ekanayake 2006).
Mexican government spearheaded two propelled
projects that incorporate trade move conspires in
for cold hard currency the most recent decade
named PROGRESA, which is an against neediness
plan at household level directed at perpetual rustic
destitution, and PROCAMPO, a plan intended to
encourage farmers fiscally at the expanding cost
impacts on NAFTA (Gautam 2008).
Agricultural Policies in Pakistan
The agriculture sector is playing a major part in the
economy of Pakistan (Hamid, et al. 1990). At
government level the farming community is
facilitated by giving them subsidies in different
aspects of this sector. Agricultural subsidies are
financial assistance to farmers and agricultural
companies to support their income, manage the
supply chain of agricultural). Pakistan holds a great
history of agricultural inputs subsidy products, and
affect the cost and supply of these goods.
(Chaudhry, et al. 1995). These subsidies providing
on the agricultural inputs like fertilizers,
insecticides, irrigation water, tube well installations,
seeds, operation and purchase of farm machineries
like tractor, harvester, thresher etc. Rosegrant
Government of Pakistan Announcing Rs 21 billion
subsidy to farmer community for increasing per
acre yield as well as to decrease their cost of
production for the production of agriculture
commodities, addressed by the federal minister for
food and agriculture Sikandar Hayat Bosan on
Saturday and (Rosegrant and Dick 1996).
The vast majority of farmers had subsistence level
of agricultural creation with pitiful assets which did
not permit them to expand their gainfulness (Haq,

et al. 2014). Without government intercession it

appeared difficult to counter the issues of farmers.
There was no fitting worth plan of government.
Government may have set sensible expenses of
agrarian things to make the expectation for
everyday comforts of agriculturists anyway they are
stayed away from the business part costs (Haq, et
al. 2015).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The locale of the study was Saigolabad, Chakwal.
Chakwal was given the status of Tehsil head quarter
by the British in 1881 and functioned as a
subdivision of Jehlum district for more than a
century until it was awarded the status of district in
1985. The District has a total population of
1,083,725 spread over four subdivisions of Chakwal,
Talagang, Choa Saiden Shah and KallarKahar with
further subdivision into 68 union councils.
Saigolabad, a small village in district Chakwal, is
located across Jhelum road. It is situated at a
distance of 18 kilometer from Chakwal city. Data
collection was done through the exploratory
method while using main techniques of participant
observation, interview guide, in-depth interviews,
and key informants.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Table. 1: Occupation of the Respondents
Gender
Frequency
Percentage
Male
100
100%
Female
0
0%
Total
100
100%

Table 1 shows the gender of the respondents. All

hundreds respondents were male who were
attached with the profession of agriculture. Females
were not attached with agricultural sector in that
area. A reason may be that this occupation is pretty
tough for the females, but this may not necessarily
be the one reason to it since a major contribution in
agricultural sector is by the female in other parts of
the country. Better literacy rate and better socioeconomic status of the families may be a reason to
it. Males were very cooperative with female they
prefer female to work in their houses. In
agricultural sector mostly men are preferred to
work because they have work hard in their fields
from dawn till dusk.
Table. 2: Distribution of Family Structure
Family
Frequency
Percentage
Nuclear
48
48%
Joint
52
52%
Total
100
100%

Table 2 shows the family structure of village

Saigolabad. 48 percent respondents were living in
nuclear family system whereas 52 percent

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respondents were living in joint family system.

Respondents told that in earlier times people were
living in joint and extended family system and that
was a plus point for agriculture because agriculture
sector needs manpower. Promising nuclear family
system is affecting agricultural economy because
mostly married couples migrate to cities and their
land remains barren, since urbanization was
increasing agricultural sector was also decreasing
and that was badly affecting the agricultural
economy of Chakwal.
Table. 3: Distribution of Respondents According to
Income
Income
Frequency
Percentage
2000-7000
59
59%
8000-13000
18
18%
14000-19000
10
10%
20000-25000
7
7%
25000 above
6
6%
Total
100
100%

The table 3 demonstrates the monthly income of

respondents. 59 percent respondents were earning
2000-7000, 18 percent were earning 8000-13000,
10 percent was earning 14000-19000, 7 percent
were earning 20000-25000 and rest of 6 percent
was earning 25000 and above. The income table
shows that mostly people were poor who were
attached with agriculture and lived hand to mouth
life.
Required Initiatives on the Part of Govt., in
Saigolabad, Chakwal
The following initiatives should be taken by the
government to uplift the agricultural economy of
Saigolabad, Chakwal. The government thus needs
to make such policies which can increase the
agriculture sector such as provide subsidies, loans
at low interest rate and adopt new variety of seeds,
fertilizers, medicines and provide proper guidance
to the farmers how to sow and harvest the crops
effectively and efficiently.
Supplying of subsidized Seeds by Government in
Improvement of Production
All respondents said that there was no doubt that
subsidized and superior seeds increased the
agricultural production. If government would
provide subsidized seeds to all large and small
farmers, agricultural production could be much
better because most of the poor farmers did not
afford to purchase expensive seeds. High yielding
variety seed was not available at reasonable
price. So, farmers had to depend upon low quality
of seeds that caused reduction in total production
and most of the farmers sow their own seeds
separated from the crops at the time of

harvesting. Government should provide High

yielding variety (HYV) seed at minimum price in
this case, but unfortunately government never
intent provided such type of facilities to farmers.
Agriculture Needs Awareness Programs by
Government of Pakistan
Respondents described that government did not
launch any awareness programs that might be
helpful for farmers in familiarizing with agricultural
knowledge, tools and machinery. It was essential on
the part of government to provide basic knowledge
of agriculture to all farmers. In the research area,
most of the farmers were illiterate and they needed
more attention of government and other stake
holders in trainings and guidance. Hardly few
farmers had primary, middle and matric
qualification. So, they faced problems especially
when they cultivate crops. They did not have
agricultural knowledge that how to use medicines
against diseases and were using herbs to counter
the plant diseases. They were totally unaware to
plant diseases so that all affected agriculture
economy of Chakwal.
GOP Measures to Alleviate Poverty of Farmers
Respondents described that government needed to
provide subsidized fertilizers; seed, medicines,
machinery and diesel to all large and small farmers
along with effective system of irrigation as Indian
and china government facilitate their farmers.
Farmers must be provided the agricultural
knowledge and must be trained in making best
utilization of the provided equipment. When they
would utilize these goods in their lands there would
be a reasonable output which could raise the socioeconomic status of farmers and contribute the
national economy. This is the government and the
stakeholders who could make efforts to stabilize
the agriculture growth where farmers financial
position could be better and they could grow crops
effectively. Government must also provide loan
schemes without interest to all farmers which they
could use for agricultural purpose and ultimately
the production would increase. Those were the
basic things that government needed to do for the
betterment of agriculture.
Government Measures to Reduce Prices of
Agricultural Goods in Improvements of Production
Respondents described that small and middle class
farmers were attached with agriculture sector.
Most of them were very poor having low income.
They did not have enough money to purchase
expensive agricultural goods. If government will
provide subsidized quality agricultural goods and
tools which could change their life. Government

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should set subsidized stores and ensure availability

of machines at the door step. Even small and poor
farmers could also built their lands and earn money.
Incentives of Agriculture Production by GOP
Respondents described that access to all
agricultural goods and tools depended on
availability of capital. First of all government
needed to provide soft loan because when farmers
had credit they would not face any difficulty to
purchase agricultural goods. Lack of financial
position forced farmers to leave their land barren
that was not good sign for agriculture. In this way
agricultural sector was going down and agricultural
economy was badly affected.
Life Standards of Farmers can be increased
Respondents described that undoubtedly better
agricultural production could change the living
standard of farmers. They could live their lives
happily and could bring improvements in their daily
life. They would educate their children properly and
their nutritional requirements could be better. They
would not have any difficulty to purchase
agricultural goods. They could easily use labor in
their fields and access to market could be easier.
There would an increase in the income of the
farmers due to development of agricultural sector.
It would improve their living standard by
constructing better houses, enjoying luxuries of life,
television, computer, mobile, motor-cycles and a lot
of modern facilities. So, growth of agricultural
sector will cause improvement in the standard of
living of the rural population of Chakwal.
Access of Road to Fields can Uplift Agriculture
Farmers illustrated that roads played important role
in transportation of agricultural commodities to
market. Rural infrastructure like, roads, storages,
transports etc. were insufficient to meet the
requirement of growth of agriculture. Not only size
and length of roads from field to market was
shorter but they were also in poor condition and
will come out of it. The villages have no paved roads
at all and roads were not according to standard. So
they faced acute difficulty in shifting products to
market in time and ensure reasonable price. Their
access to market was tough. Government was
needed to reduce these problems by constructing
roads and also reduce prices of diesel for farmers
because 70% population of the country is directly or
indirectly related with agriculture. It means
agriculture sector played vital role in our economy.
Provision of Tractors to increase Agricultural
Production
Respondents described that the use of tractors in
agricultural sector was multipurpose. Tractor was

used for different purposes. For example they used

blade with tractor and cutting crops. They used
tractor to carry crops from one place to other place.
Similarly, thrashers could not run without tractor,
so the role of tractor was very vital. If government
would provide tractors on installment to farmers
then the agricultural sector could be developed.
Provision of Subsidized Fertilizers by Government
Farmers believed that they were poor and that it
was not possible for them to purchase expensive
fertilizers. If government had provided subsidies
fertilizers to small and poor farmers then they could
have also used fertilizers and ultimately their crops
would have developed. In this way agricultural
production could be increased. The only large
farmers could use fertilizers because their financial
position was better, besides small farmers used
goober to fertile their lands.
Abolishing Feudal System can raise Living Standard
of Farmers
Respondents argued that living standard of farmers
could be improved by eradication of dominant
feudalism. The farmers of high intelligence and
courage had been suppressed by the powerful
landlords. If this system is abolished the living
standard of farmers would certainly improve. It
could be done by proper management of the
government and stake holders. The concerned
authority could distribute occupied land among
deserving farmers evenly. The ownership of these
distributed pieces of land should have been given to
the farmers. The farmers should have given
freedom of speech to express and share their ideas
and contribute effectively to the economy of the
nation through agricultural development. They
should have been given decision making power as
well; all these revolutionary steps could help in
building the living standard of the farmers.
Enforcement of Agricultural Reforms after
Diminishing Feudal System
The respondents told that the fall of feudalism
could have helped farmers to introduce immense
reforms in agriculture sector. It could have been
revolutionized through proper land reforms and by
introducing apt policies meeting current situations.
Those planes and policies should have been plotted
and design under the supervision of a group of
experts and that would have used to educate the
poor farmers, so that they could have eradicated
orthodoxy form of agriculture that had been
exercised by dominant feudal class since ages. The
farmers should have been the part of decision
making and their opinions should have been
respected and entertained in every matter

85

regarding agriculture. Hence, it seemed easier to

introduce reforms in agriculture on large scale to
diminish feudalism but it is the fact that reforms
cannot be made in the Pakistan because the ruler
class is dominating the agricultural sector at large
scale.
CONCLUSION
It has been found through profound study that
people who are attached with agriculture are
leading a life in poverty and misery as compared to
those represents other sectors of employment.
Agriculture sector in Saigolabd, Chakwal have a
wide scope because most of land is fertile so it is
necessary to adopt the modern techniques and
using of variety of new seeds to improve the crops.
The government needs to provide the subsidies in
seeds, fertilizers and medicines and develop
awareness programs for the farmers. The
government thus needs to make such policies which
can increase the agriculture sector such as provide
loans at low interest rate and provide proper
guidance to the farmers how to sow and harvest
the crops effectively and efficiently. These types of
facilities will be helpful in increasing agricultural
production.
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