Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Productivity and Poverty
Agricultural production in Pakistan is stagnant. Sixty-
five percent of the population, directly or indirectly
involved in agriculture, is unable to feed themselves plus
the 35 percent of nonfarmers. Crop yields have fallen in
almost every sector for reasons discussed below . Yields
are significantly below potential output. For instance,
the gap between actual and potential rice yield is 50 per-
cent, wheat 40 percent, maize (corn) 28 percent, and
sugarcane 35 percent.
Consequently , poverty has increased, especially in
the countryside where most Pakistanis live. According to
an official 2005 survey , overall poverty in Pakistan is 24
percent. While 15 percent of city dwellers are considered
to be poor, 28 percent of rural people cannot make ends
meet. In a more recent inflation-adjusted study (2010),
rural poverty has risen to 31 percent.
The government estimates that the country now
needs US$2-4 million to import enough wheat to feed its
growing population. Other rising imports include milk
and milk products, meat, vegetables, dried fruit, edible
oil, tea, spices, and sugar. In 1999, Pakistan produced
enough grain for a per capita annual availability of 570
pounds (259 kg). By 2007, per capita availability fell to
418 pounds (190 kg), a drop of 81 pounds (37 kg) per
person. In contrast, per capita yearly food consumption
in the United States was 1,950 pounds (886 kg) in 2003.
Food shortages and rising prices have produced an
illegal commodity trade that has exacerbated the situa-
tion. For example, in 2008, in context of a 40 percent
increase in global wheat prices and price controls at home,
corn, and cotton are sown after the onset of the wet mon-
soon (June-July) and are harvested in autumn. Rabi
crops such as wheat, barley , and oil seed are sown at the
beginning of the dry monsoon and harvested in spring.
Pakistan is noted for its Basmati rice . The name
“basmati” originated from a Sanscrit word— bash, mean-
ing “smell.” Pearly-white, long-grained Basmati has a
nutty aroma and flavor. Legend says that it was meant to
be fed only to maharajahs. Grown in Punjab during sum-
mer, it is carefully harvested by hand.
Wheat is the main food crop in Pakistan and covers
more acreage (37 percent) than any other crop. It is used
to make flour for such things as leavened, flat, and
steamed breads. Chapatis , similar to tortillas, are a meal
staple (Figure 7-12). A limited amount of wheat is
planted as a forage crop for livestock and the straw can
be used as fodder or as roofing material.
Cotton is Pakistan' is chief industrial crop. In fact, it is
the world' s fifth largest producer of “white gold.” More
than a million farmers are involved in cotton production.
Moreover, the textile industry , centered in Karachi,
accounts for 65 percent of the country' s exports. Accord-
ing to the government' s “T “Textile Vision 2005” plan, the
industry is designated to be further mechanized and
modernized to improve quality and enhance product
appeal to Western economies.
Another significant commercial crop is sugarcane.
Not only does it produce sugar, but also it is an important
contributor to industry . Bagasse —cane fiber—is used to
make chipboard and paper. Cane components are also
used in the manufacture of chemicals, paints, insecti-
cides, and detergents.
Figure 7-12:
This street-food vendor in Peshawar is preparing
to put lamb and vegetables into a chapati. The
end-product looks like a taco and is very spicy .
Photograph courtesy of B. A. Weightman.
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