Writing for Dawn, Sara Mehmood and Khalid Saeed Wattoo note that Pakistan’s agriculture sector has lagged behind in growth and productivity compared to other countries with similar agro-climatic conditions. The most commonly cited reasons for this include the limited use of high-yielding seeds, insufficient fertilization, inadequate water supply, ineffective extension services, and farmers’ limited access to agricultural credit. However, one crucial aspect that has been overlooked is the human factor – the lack of knowledge, training, and efficiency of farm workers who carry out day-to-day operations.
The agriculture sector has undergone continuous evolution and transformation since Pakistan’s independence in 1947, but in the last two decades, many aspects of farming have changed dramatically. Unfortunately, there have been no concerted efforts by either the public or private sector to train farm workers in line with these changes.
The use of hybrid and genetically modified seeds, such as Bt cotton in Pakistan, has increased significantly. Crop production technology for these high-yielding seeds is more complex and technical, requiring a new set of agricultural inputs and skills. As a result, farming with these seeds is no longer as simple as it was with traditional open-pollinated seeds.
As the sector becomes more capital-intensive with the use of technology, it demands trained labor. With land holdings rapidly decreasing due to population growth, farmers are under pressure to get the most out of their land and inputs, which are becoming more expensive. As a result, improved resource conservation technologies and farming practices, such as high-efficiency irrigation solutions, precision sprayers, pneumatic drills, etc., are making inroads in the sector, but all of these require higher levels of skills.
The widespread adoption of short-duration crop varieties has increased the maximum allowable crop intensity from two to three crops per year in some areas. For example, 1509 Basmati Rice matures in less than 90 days, compared to 140 days for the traditional super basmati variety. This requires a higher level of mechanization and trained workers to complete operations in the short time span between crops.
Farm mechanization is also increasing in Pakistan, and it is no longer limited to tractors, water pumps, and threshers. The use of general-purpose and crop-specific self-propelled and tractor-driven agricultural machinery and implements has been continuously increasing in farming operations, such as land preparation, irrigation, weeding, harvesting, and grading.
With the increase in per capita income, many countries are experiencing a shift in dietary patterns, with a decreased emphasis on starchy staple foods and an increased focus on diversified, nutritious food, including animal and dairy products, fruits, and vegetables. These countries are increasingly enforcing stringent international food safety regulations and traceability regimes on imported products.
Many Pakistani farms have already achieved certification of Global Good Agricultural Practices (Global GAP), and the number is growing. However, traditional farm workers who lack appropriate education, training, and skills may struggle to comply with certification requirements and adhere to quality standards and food safety guidelines.
ICT-enabled services, such as weather forecasting and agricultural advisory services, are becoming increasingly popular in rural areas, and farm workers need to be equipped to take advantage of these advancements in their work. The threat of climate change is rapidly increasing, and adopting climate-smart agricultural practices requires well-informed decision making and trained workers.
In light of these technological and environmental changes, it is clear that Pakistan’s agriculture sector requires farm workers with the knowledge and skills to undertake farming operations in line with the latest technological requirements and advanced agricultural practices. However, the technical and vocational education and training sector of Pakistan is not currently geared towards providing such training programs.
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