Agriculture: It is a process of cultivating land or producing varieties of food, the science, art, and business of cultivating soil, producing

crops, and raising livestock; farming. So basically farming and growing animals and plants. To simplify, agriculture involves redirecting nature's natural f low of the food web. The natural flow of the food web is-the sun provides light to plants. Plants convert sunlight into sugars which provide food for the plants (this process is called photosynthesis). Plants provide food for herbivores (plant-eating animals, i.e., sloths) and the herbivores provide food for carnivores (meat-eating animals, i.e., jaguars). Decomposers or bacteria, break down plants or animals that have died. Nutrients from the plants and animals go back into the soil and the whole process starts anew. Types of Agriculture: There are two main types of agriculture. *conventional agriculture *sustainable agriculture Conventional agriculture: Most commonly practiced in the United States, usually involves the following criteria: Altering or changing the natural environment (removing trees, tilling the soil, installing an irrigation system, etc. Mono-cropping or planting one crop (ex: only corn is grown in a plot). The crops grown are nonrenewable- after harvesting, the plot is bare again and requires cultivation (tilling and plowing of the soil), fertilization, planting, irrigation (watering), and harvesting all over again. Diversity is eliminated in order to maintain uniformity. Using insecticides and pesticides to keep insects and animals from eating the crops; these chemicals are not only poisonous to insects, animals and humans, they also pollute ground water, streams, rivers, and oceans. Using inorganic fertilizers to provide nutrients to the soil. A lot of energy and work for the farmer to maintain this unnatural farming system; nature is more aligned with diversity (it wants to be wild), rather than controlled and uniform. Some examples of crops which undergo conventional agriculture: corn, wheat, rice, bananas, soy bean, etc.

 Sustainable agriculture (agro-ecology): Uses ecological principles to farm, hence the prefix agro- to farm and ecologythe science of the relationship between organisms and their environments. Agro-ecology involves: Maintaining the natural environment and using ecological principles for sustained farming practices. poly-cropping, or planting many crops together (ex: planting rows of corn, bean, and squash together rather than in separate plots, like in mono-cropping) Since many plants are planted together, and each one has a different harvesting period, the plot is never bare. This reduces soil erosion. diversity is maintained and even increased over time A diverse system of plants may attract several species of herbivores. Some of these herbivores like to eat specific kinds of plants. Predator species usually do not have a preference for which herbivores to eat. This predation keeps the herbivore population in check, thus reducing predation of any one crop. Plants- such as citrus are natural insect repellents. This eliminates the need to use insecticides. Nutrients from each intercrop plant provide different nutrients to the soil, thus increasing its fertility (ability to sustain life). less energy is required from the farmer because the agriculture system sustains itself Here are some examples of sustainable agriculture crops: shade coffee; multiple cropping in Germany- for example, they plant carrots, beets, and onions together in a plot; in Mexico, they do the same with corn, bean, and squash. In Italy, they plant both annual and perennial crops to create a diverse home garden; in other areas, they use cover cropping in orchards to inhibit weed growth, etc.

Other Type of Agriculture Farming:

Agriculture is one of the most widespread activities in the world, but its character is not uniform throughout. There are a number of ways to classify agriculture and some of the major criteria which can be adopted include the scale of farming, crop and livestock combinations, intensity of farming, means and ways of disposal of the farm produce and the level of farm mechanization etc. A number of scholars have attempted to identify various types of agriculture. The following are the major types of agriculture in the world. Basically there are there main bases on which different types of farming doing. 1. Based on Input 2. Based on Processes: 3. Based on Output: Based on Input: i. Intensive ii. Extensive

1. Intensive Farming: i. ii. iii. iv. Intensive farming aims at maximum possible production on the limited farms with all efforts possible under the circumstances. Intensive farming is capable of raising more than one crop a year. Huge capital and human labor is employed on every hectare of land. It is practiced in most parts of densely populated areas.

2. Extensive Farming: i. ii. iii. iv. v. It is the modern system of farming done on large farms. It is also known as mechanical farming due to extensive use of machines. Extensive farm raises only one crop a year. Employment of labour and capital per hectare of land is comparatively less. It is practiced in sparsely populated areas like USA, Canada, Russia and Australia.

Based on Processes: i. ii. iii. iv. Arabial Farming Pestoral Farming Market Gardening/ Truck Farming Mixed Farming

Arabial Farming: (i) It is the plugging of land and growing of crops.

Pestoral Farming: (i) It is the leaving of land under grass for the rearing of animals. E.g. Cattle ranching and livestock ranching

Market Gardening/ Truck Farming: (i) When food, flowers and vegetables are grown under controlled condition this farming is called Market gardening.

Mixed Farming: (i) When in the same place animals and vegetabels and fruit farming take place, this is called Mixed farming.

Based on Output: 1) Commercial Farming 2) Subsistence Farming 1) Commercial Agriculture:

a. Commercial Agriculture is practiced to raise crops on a large scale with a view to export them to other countries and earn money. b. Commercial agriculture is done mostly in sparsely populated areas. c. Purpose of commercial agriculture is to sell the produce for money. d. Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana and Maharashtra, mainly practice this type of farming. e. Wheat, cotton, sugarcane, corn etc. are some of the commercial crops. 2) Subsistence Agriculture: a. In subsistence agriculture, farmer and his family produce cereals for themselves only or for local market. b. Cereals like wheat, rice, millets are mainly raised. This is practiced in most parts of India even today. Miscellaneous:

1. Shifting Agriculture: (i) In shifting agriculture, land is obtained by cleaning forest and agriculture is practiced till the fertility of the farm is exhausted. After this another farm is cleared and agriculture is practiced on it. (ii) Usually, plant, tuber crops like yam, tapioca and root crops are raised. (Hi) It is practiced mainly by tribal living in forest. 2. Plantation Agriculture: (i) In plantation agriculture, bush or tree f arming is done on huge areas. (ii) It is capital-centered and needs good managerial ability, technical knowledge, improved machineries, fertilizers, irrigation and transport facilities. (iii)A particular or single sown crop like rubber, tea, coconut, coffee, cocoa, spices and fruit crops etc. is sown and the yield is generally obtained continuously for a number of years. (iv) It is practiced in Kerala, Karnataka, Assam and Maharashtra. (v) Plantation agriculture requires a long growing period. 3. Dry Land Farming: i. ii. iii. In dry land farming moisture is maintained by raising special type of crops. Gramjowar, bajra and peas are such crops which need less water. This is practiced in dry areas of the country such as western, north-western India and central India. It is practiced in low rainfall areas or where there is inadequate irrigation facility.

4. Wet Land Farming: i. Wet land farming depends mainly upon rains, so it is practiced in high rainfall or well irrigated areas.

In this type of farming rice, jute and sugarcane are grown. This type of farming is prevalent in the north, north-eastern India and on the slopes of the Western Ghats. On the basis of seasons, crops grown in India can be classified as follows (i) Kharif: Kharif crops are grown with the start of monsoon till the beginning of winter (June-July to October-November). Rice, maize, millets, cotton, groundnut, moong, urad etc. are kharif crops. (ii) Rabi: Rabi crops are sown with the start of winter till the beginning of summer (October-November to March-April). Wheat, barley, gram and oilseeds are rabi crops. (iii) Zaid: Zaid crops are grown in short season of summer. Watermelon and cucumbers are zaid crops. 5. Nomadic Herding: This type is based upon the rearing of animals on natural pastures. This practice is followed by the people of the semi-arid and arid regions. They keep moving with their animals in search of natural pastures and lead a nomadic life. The types of the animals reared differ from one region to the other. Northern Africa, parts of Arabia and parts of northern Eurasia are the typical regions of this type of farming. This is a subsistence type of activity. 6. Livestock Ranching: Under this system of farming also the major emphasis is laid on rearing of animals but the farmers live a settled life. This type of farming has developed on a commercial basis in those areas of the world where large areas are available for animal grazing, such as the low rainfall areas of North America, South America and Australia. Animals are reared mainly for meat and wool and they are kept on large scale farms called the ranches. 7. Shifting Cultivation: This is the type of farming adopted generally in the rainy tropics. Under this system the land for cultivation is obtained by cleared off the forests with the help of slashing and burning technique and it is cultivated for a few years till the fertility declines or the land is overtaken by the weeds etc. Then the land is abandoned and a new plot is cleared for farming. This is a subsistence type of farming done manually without much use of animal power or other types of power. This is the subsistence type of activity adopted by the people living in the tropical forest regions of Southeast Asia. Major emphasis is on the grain crops. This type of farming is now on a decline as due to its land spoiling nature it is

ii. iii.

being discouraged by the government agencies. 8. Rudimentary Sedentary Tillage: This is also a subsistence type of activity and it differs from the foregoing type in terms of the fact that the same plot of land is cultivated continuously year after year. Fallowing of land is commonly adopted to maintain the soil fertility and it is also a farming type of the tropical regions. Besides the grain crops, some tree crops such rubber are also grown under this system. 9. Intensive Subsistence Farming with Rice Dominant: This type of farming is practiced in the areas of tropical regions having a high density of population and receiving a large amount of precipitation. Rice is the dominant crop as it can employ and feed a large number of people per unit of area. Southeast Asian region is the major area of this type of farming. Use of manual and animal power is dominant and effort is made to enhance the productivity per unit of area with the use of manures etc. 10. Intensive Subsistence Farming Without Rice Dominant: This is a slightly dry climatic variant of the foregoing type and as the amount of rainfall is not very high these regions grow grain crops other than rice, such as wheat and millets. Besides the comparatively less wet areas of Asia, northern Africa and the parts of Middle East this type of farming is commonly practiced in parts of southern Africa and Central America also. 11. Commercial Plantations: Though practiced over a rather small area, this type of farming is quite important in terms of its commercial value. The major products of this type of farming are the tropical crops such as tea, coffee, rubber and oil palm etc. This type of farming has developed in parts of Asia, Africa and Latin America where the influence of the Europeans has been important during the colonial period. Most of the plantations were developed to provide the tropical crops to the European markets. This is a highly capital intensive farming and most of the crops are tree crops. 12. Mediterranean Agriculture: The typical rugged relief of the Mediterranean region has resulted in typical livestock and crop combinations in this region. Wheat and vineyards and citrus fruits are the major crops and the small animals the major

livestock reared in the region. Horticulture is a major activity of this region and most of the crops other than these plantations are grown in winter with the help of winter rains. 13. Commercial Grain Farming: This type of farming is a response to farm mechanization and it is the major type of activity in the areas of low rainfall and low density of population where extensive farming is practiced. Crops are prone to the vagaries of weather and droughts and monoculture of wheat is the general practice. Prairies, steppes and the temperate grasslands of South America and Australia are the main areas of this type of farming. 14. Livestock and Grain Farming: This type is commonly known as mixed farming and this practice has originated in the humid areas of the middle latitudes, except in Asia. Its development is closely related to the market facilities, and it is a typically European type of farming where an effort is made to get the best out of crop farming and animal rearing. Great Britain and New-Zealand are the examples of areas where it is the common practice. 15. Subsistence Crop and Stock Farming: This type resembles the foregoing type in terms of the crops and type of livestock but differs. In that practically nothing is sold off the farm. This type of farming has been common in areas of middle latitudes with lower fertility of soils or the areas of rough terrain and has declined significantly after the collectivization of farming in Russia which has been one of the major regions where this has been practiced. 16. Dairy Farming: This type also had its origin in Europe from where it spread to other areas. Close proximity to the market and a temperate climate are the two favorable factors which have been responsible for the development of this type of farming. Countries like Denmark and Sweden have witnessed the maximum development of this type of farming. 17. Specialized Horticulture: This type of farming has also developed to take advantage of a large demand for the products of horticulture and the areas of large scale urbanization and high density of population in Europe have been favorable for its development. This type of farming has best developed in the vineyard cultivation areas of France, northern Hungary and the Swiss Lakes regions.

Although Whittlesey's agricultural classification is quite elaborate, the regionalization on the basis of this classification is not something permanent. Due to changing market demands and the developing agricultural technology, a number of changes have come in the agricultural pattern of the world since Whittlesey's study. Large demands for fruits and vegetables in the urban areas have resulted in modified land use in many parts of the world and such factors impart a dynamic character to the agricultural activity.

The Origins of Agriculture:

Introduction: A. For most of their early history, humans survived as foragers or hunter-gatherers, gathering wild plants and hunting animals in their natural environment. B. Around 10,000 years ago in many areas of the world, there was a shift in human endeavor from foraging to farming. Why this happened is not known, but it appears to have formed the basis of advanced civilization in both the old and new worlds. Agriculture Theories: Agriculture was developed more than 10,000 years ago and has undergone significant changes since the time of the earliest cultivation. Several theories also proposed by many scholars about the development of the agriculture. Most probably, there was a quick change from hunter-gatherer to agricultural societies after a period during that some of the crops had to be planted in order to carter the demands of the increasing societies or population. Some of the theories of agricultural origins of different scholars are mentioned below. In the year 1908, Raphael Pumpelly proposed Oasis Theory and Vere Gordon Childe popularized this theory by summarizing in his book entitled Man Makes Himself. This theory explains that when the climate got drier, the societies contracted to the oases and they were into the close connection with the animals that were then domesticated along with cultivation. In 1948, Robert Braidwood proposed the Hilly Flanks hypothesis. He suggests that the agriculture started in the Zagros Mountains and hilly sides of the Taurus and that it developed from mainly focused grain collecting in the area. Carl Sauer proposed the Demographic theories and this theory were adapted by Kent Flannery and Lewis Binford. In this theory they describe than an more and more sedentary population developing up to the carrying ability of the local environment, and needed more food than could be collected. Several economic and social factors help drive the requirement for food. Bryan Hayden created the Feasting models in which he suggest that the agriculture was driven by pretentious displays of power, like throwing feasts to

the exert dominance. This needed assembling huge quantities of food that developed agricultural technology.

David Rindos prosed the evolutionary and intentionality theory and suggests that
the agriculture is the co-evolutionary adaptation of humans and plants. Beginning with domestication by protection of the wild plants, then specialization of the location and then the domestication

Agriculture: revolution or evolution: A. About 10,000 years ago, human cultures began the practice of agriculture in several different areas of the world; the near East, the far East, and in Mesoamerica. 1. The modern theory of the origin of agriculture is really an evolutionary one and not a revolutionary one. Sauer's Premises stated that the hunter-gatherers knew the wild plants, know how they grew, and began to incorporate farming along with foraging as part of an overall food collection strategy. 2. Eventually, there was a transition between simple foraging where nomadic bands followed the plants around, to sedentary agricultural societies, where the people stayed in one place, and grew crops. The foragers changed from collecting wild cereals to actually cultivating them. 3. See this exhibit about stone age hunter-gathers in Great Britain; be sure to follow the several links. Early sites of agriculture: A. The Near East: an area known as the "fertile crescent" of Mesopotamia which includes parts of Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, and Israel. 1. From village sites, plant materials have been dated back 9000 to 14000 years. 2. Early plants domesticated were wheat, barley, pea, lentil, and vetch. The domesticated animals were dogs, goats, and sheep. 3. Similar developments occurred in Egypt where the first ornamental gardens were developed. B. The Far East: Southeast Asia in Thailand, and the Yellow and Yangtze river valleys in China. 1. 7000 to 8,000 years ago. 2. Found rice, millet, broomcorn millet, rape, and hemp. There was also evidence of domesticated cattle, pigs, dogs, and poultry.

Factors of Agriculture
There are basically two factors that affect the agriculture growth. Physical Human 1. Physical Factors: Relief/ Land Climate Soil a. Relief/ Land: Temperature decreases by 6.5 degrees Celsius for every 1000m gained in height. Lowlands such as flood plains, are good for growing crops. Steep slopes hinder machinery and have thinner soils- these locations are often only suitable for sheep farming. Dairy farms locate on fairly flat relief- as cows are not very agile or suited to steep slopes. South facing slopes receive more sunlight- important to know when growing crops. b. Climate: The temperature has to be a minimum of 6 degrees Celsius and at least 250 500 mm of rainfall in order for the crops to grow. The length of the growing season influences the crops grown for example wheat needs 90 days. Places that are too wet or dry, too hot or cold are not suitable for arable farming.

c. Soil:

Fertility is important for growing crops, good quality soil, means more inputs, however poor soil, means less inputs. Good drainage reduces the dangers of water logging. Flood planes are good for crops because of the alluvial soils. Acidic soil- e.g. In Dartmoor is no use for growing crops.

2. Human Factors: Labour Technology Transport/Market Capital (Finance) Market Distance Government ( Political) i. Labour:

In LEDCS, such as India the farmers traditionally used cheap labour instead of using expensive machinery. However since the green revolution more and more machines have been introduced- making farm hands unemployed. Farms often only need extra labour at harvest time- this work is seasonale.g. tomato picking in Guernsey.

ii.

Technology: Computer control technology in greenhouses provide suitable conditions for good quality crops. Genetic engineering allows new plants to be grown, this reduces diseases and droughts and give higher yields. Irrigation and machines are two examples of expensive technology which increases yields. The computer controls moisture level, the temperature and the amount of food that is needed. Capital: Yields will rise when farmers can afford to invest capitals this creates more profits which can be used for future investments. Capital, the money the farmer has to invest in the farm, this can increase some inputs such as fences and seeds. Transport/Market: Farmers grow crops that are in demand such as rubber plantation farmers in Malaysia have switched to oil as the demand of rubber has fallen. Farmers who grow or have perishable goods e.g. dairy farmers or market gardeners like to be close to their markets so goods can be transported easily and goods do not perish. Farmers production lines vary throughout the year, this is due to the demand on the various crop grown. Government ( Political): Government and Political Policies such as the CAP have a massive impact on how a farmer uses the land. Governments influence the crops farmers grow through quotes and subside. The CAP means that some farmers are paid NOT to farm their land.

iii.

iv.

v.

Importance of Agriculture
The agriculture sector is not only important at national level but also at international level. About fifty years back, the agriculture sector was neglected both in the developed and underdeveloped countries of the world. It was regarded as residual reservoir particularly of labor for employment in industries. In 1960s the importance of agriculture was realized and adequate attention was given to this sector. The importance of balanced growth of agriculture and industrial sectors was stressed by the development economists. In 1970s and since the beginning of 1980s, agriculture in the process of development, has gained increased significance.

Importance of Agriculture in Economic Development:

Pakistan is basically a farming community. About 70% of its population is living in rural areas and nearly 50% of them engaged in farming, livestock and agro-based industries. However, Agriculture sector plays a vital role in the economic development of a country. It is confirmed and supported by the following facts. 1. Determination of GDP growth rate: 1. The GDP growth rate in Pakistan is mainly dependent upon the growth rate in agriculture sector. For example, the GDP growth rate increased from 4.5% in 1993-94 to 5.2% in 1995-96 mainly due to increase in the production of cotton, rice and wheat in the year 1995-96. It came down to 3.1% in 1996-7 due to fail in the production of cotton, wheat and sugarcane. 2. Agricultural Development essential to curtail inflation: If the rate of growth in agriculture sector is low, it brings shortage of food, vegetable, and other essential raw materials in the country. The prices of the essential goods go up. The slow rate or fall in the production of agriculture sector generates inflationary pressure and creates bottlenecks in the economic development of the country. 3. Major component of GDP: Agriculture sector is the single largest component of GDP in Pakistan. Its contribution is 25% to Pakistans GDP. The progress of agriculture sector provides a sound base for economic development and is considered one of the preconditions for takeoff or self-sustained growth. 4. Providing labor force to industry: In most of the developing countries (including Pakistan) agriculture is the main source of providing manpower of various sectors of economy. In Pakistan, 50% of labor force is employed in agriculture sector. With the improved growth in the agriculture sector due to mechanization, the surplus labor force can be easily absorbed in the small and large scale industries. The provision of new employment both in the agriculture industrial and other sectors can increase the income of the workers and help them to get out of low income equilibrium. 5. Foreign exchange earner: The agriculture sector is the main source of foreign exchange earnings in Pakistan. The export of cotton, cotton based products, rice

etc. fetch about 65% of our total export earnings. This helps in the import of capital machinery, equipment, technical knowhow etc. which essential inputs for development are. The availability for foreign exchange not only helps in the industrialization program but also improves the balance of payments. 6. Meets food requirements: Pakistans population is growing at an alarming rate of 2.77% annually. The agriculture sector is successfully meeting the food requirements of over 13 crore persons in Pakistan. Had there been no green revolution in agriculture sector during sixties and seventies, we would have spent the major portion of foreign exchange earned on the food import. The economic development would have also been retarded due to low capital formation. 7. Support of industries: The improved growth in the agriculture sector provides raw material to manufacturing industries. The production of cotton, jute, sugarcane, fruits etc. enable the cotton, jute, sugarcane fruit processing and other agro based industries to get material from within the country and expand production. The industries not only meet the domestic requirements of cloth, sugar, jute bags etc. but also earn foreign exchange by exporting them. 8. Expanded industrial market: The expanding and progressive sector brings prosperity to the agriculturists. The increase in the income of formers is spent on the purchase of industrial output such as clothes, motorcycles, cars, fans etc. The improvement in the agriculture sector thus provides on outlet for the products of the expanding industries. 9. Marketable surplus: When the agriculture sector is expanded on scientific lines, it yields handsome marketable surplus. The surplus which may be cotton, jute, wheat, sugar, silk, fish, timber etc. can help to pay the import of industrial raw materials, capital equipment and technology. This helps in bringing about rapid economic development.

Agriculture and Its Problems in Pakistan

From time Immemorial, agriculture has been the major occupation of the people of Pakistan. Even today agriculture is a major sector and occupies a very important place in the economy of Pakistan. It not only provides food for our growing population but is a source of raw materials for our principal industries as well as a source of foreign exchange for our government. 32% of our gross domestic products belong to this sector. It engages 53% of our employed labor .About 75% of our people are engaged directly or indirectly with this profession. A large part (about 10%) of Pakistan's exports is made up of primary commodities, including the major cash crops. In addition to this major large scale industries like cotton textile and sugar etc.as well as medium and small scale agro-based and cottage industries are directly dependent on this sector for their raw materials. Problems: Following are the causes of our backwardness in agriculture: 1. Lack of Education: The farmers of our country are mostly un-educated and lack technical knowledge .They are unable to understand the modern scientific methods of agriculture and often remain ignorant of good means to protect and increase their yield. Their production is therefore low. 2. Lack of Capital: The majority of our farmers are poor and they often live in a hand to mouth position. Most of them are always under heavy burdens of debts. So due to lack of capital they cannot afford to purchase modern scientific implements, chemical manures, improved types of seeds etc. Hence they cannot attain the required standards. 3. Following the Old Traditions: Most of our farmers are still stuck to the old traditions of their fore fathers. The circumstances have compelled them to use the crude implements, because due to small holdings of land and poverty they are unable to acquire and use modern scientific methods. That is why their standard is lower than that of cultivators in developed countries. 4. Water-logging and Salinity: Due to excessive use of canal water, most of our cultivated lands have become victims of these two dangerous diseases. Every year ,salinity alone, is turning about 1,00,000 acres of arable land into marches and salt lands. Water-logging is no less injurious. On the other hand the measures taken so far are quite inadequate for such issues.

5. Uneconomical Land Holdings: Due to our law of inheritance, our farmers command very small pieces of hands which prove to be costly. A farmer cannot afford tractors and other machineries for a small piece of land and those income is low. Hence his interest is converted to some other sector. 6. Scarcity of Water: Our farmers have to face many problems due to scarcity of water which is one our major problems. Large tracts of land estimated to be about 22 million acres is lying uncultivated due to shortage of water. Rainfall is uncertain and the existing irrigational facilities in our country are quite insufficient and need to be extended. 7. Land Tenure System: The land tenure system of Pakistan has creates a chain of intermediaries in between the state and the tenants. The system, instead of being conductive to agricultural development, stands in the way of its progress. 8. Soil Erosion: In some areas of our country, especially in hilly regions, the upper fertile soil is being eroded by different natural agents of change .Thus the fertility is poor and soils are becoming less productive. 9. Lack of Organized Marketing: The marketing facilities for agricultural products in Pakistan are still far from satisfactory level. Our cultivators cannot get just prices for their produce due to defective marketing organization. Moreover the chain of middlemen between the producers and ultimate consumers take a heavy share of their produce .Thus the cultivators do not take much real interest in increasing their product too. 10. Pests and Crop Diseases: Due to lack of agricultural education and methods of modern research, our farmers cannot control the various diseases of crops and attacks of pests and insects. The result is low yields. 11. Poor Means of Transportation: The agricultural activities in our country are performed in rural areas, but most of our villages have no road or railway links with our markets. So farmers have to face innumerable hardships to sell their products. Hence the farmers take very little interest in their profession and production suffers. 12. Lack of Credit Facilities: The resources required for agricultural operation are land, layout, livestock,

farm equipment, seeds, fertilizers, irrigation, transport etc. For the convenient and timely procurement of these resources the farmers must have easy access to credit. The A.D.B.P and commercial banks provide loans to the farmers which are insufficient because our farmers are very poor. 13. Low Yield Per Acre: Due to the above mentioned facts, it is clear that the yield per acre of various crops in our country is comparatively low than of the other countries. Hence we are backward agriculturally.

Suggestions or Remedies to Overcome the Problems

1. Reclamation of Land: The land which has been declared useless due to salinity and water-logging should be reclaimed. Tube-wells should be installed in the affected areas to decrease the salinity. Beds of new canals should be made of concrete to avoid water-logging. These measures should be taken on priority basis to avoid further deterioration of land. 2. Irrigation Facilities: The major problem of agriculture in Pakistan is scarcity of water. Most of the land is lying unused due to this problem. Therefore, it is necessary that the irrigation facilities be extended for increasing agricultural output. 3. The Use of Fertilizers: The agricultural yield can also be increased to a great extent by using fertilizers. The use of artificial manure should be introduced throughout the country. Due to poverty and illiteracy our farmers hesitate to purchase the fertilizers. 4. Credit Facilities: The use of better seeds, fertilizers and modern implements is not possible without adequate credit facilities for the farmers. The government has extended the existing credit facilities to a large extent. The commercial banks also grant loans to the farmers, but still there is a need for more facilities as our farmers are very poor. 5. Better Seeds: The farmers should be provided better quality seeds at the lowest price and at the right time. Better seeds will ultimately give better yield. 6. Plant Protection: Various plant diseases damage a large part of our crops. But our farmers have no effective control over them. Therefore, preventive and neurative measures should

be taken throughout the country. 7. Mechanization: Mechanization of agriculture refers to the use of various equipment the different stages of cultivation. By the use of modern equipment better results can be achieved in the shortest time. 8. Co-operative Farming: Co-operative farming refers to the farming done on the basis of mutual help and co-operation. Under this method the small holdings are consolidated .In this way the owners of small holdings can also use fertilizers and modern equipments jointly. After harvesting, the yield can be distributed among the owners according to their ownership.

9. Education Level: Increase of literacy ratio in rural areas especially in agre-education is the need of the day. The more educated the farmers will be the better will be the results achieved. 10. Marketing Facilities: Marketing procedures should be simplified and various marketing facilities should be provided to the cultivators. 11. Improvement In The Means Of transportation And Communication: The rural areas of the country must be provided with road and railway links with marketing centers and better means of transport and communication should be provided.