2009 Solved Pakistan Affairs Past Papers | Why Agriculture Sector Remained Less-Developed in Pakistan
The following question of CSS Pakistan Affairs 2009 is solved by Miss Iqra Ali, the best Pakistan Affairs Coach, on the guided pattern of Sir Syed Kazim Ali, which he taught to his students, scoring the highest marks in compulsory subjects for years. This solved past paper question is uploaded to help aspirants understand how to crack a topic or question, how to write relevantly, what coherence is, and how to include and connect ideas, opinions, and suggestions to score the maximum.
Question Breakdown
In this question, the examiner has asked you to explain why Pakistan’s agriculture sector remained underdeveloped despite having strong resources and reforms. To solve this, first write the then situation—how agriculture was considered the backbone of Pakistan’s economy. Then highlight available strengths like fertile lands, water resources, and research institutions. After that, discuss the issues such as poor implementation of land reforms, outdated farming methods, lack of technology, mismanagement, low investment, and ineffective policies. Finally, explain how these challenges slowed progress in the agriculture sector despite its potential. Keep your answer logical and well-organized.
1- Introduction
2- An Overview of the Agricultural Potential of Pakistan
3- Key Challenges That Hindered Agricultural Development
- Ineffective Implementation of Land Reforms
- ✓ According to the World Bank Report (2008), land reforms in Pakistan failed due to political resistance from feudal elites who dominated the legislative process.
- Outdated Farming Techniques and Low Mechanization
- ✓ FAO (2020) reported that over 65% of Pakistani farmers still rely on traditional methods, reducing productivity significantly.
- Inadequate Investment in Agricultural Infrastructure and Research
- ✓ The Economic Survey of Pakistan (2021) noted that less than 0.3% of GDP was allocated to agriculture research and development.
- Mismanagement of Water Resources and Irrigation Issues
- ✓ A report by the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR, 2018) warned that Pakistan could face absolute water scarcity by 2025 due to inefficient irrigation and canal losses.
- Policy Gaps and Institutional Fragmentation
- ✓ Dr. Ishrat Husain in his book “Governing the Ungovernable” emphasized that weak coordination between agriculture departments and shifting policy priorities led to inconsistency in long-term planning.
4- Critical Analysis
5- Conclusion
Answer to the Question
Introduction
Since its inception in 1947, Pakistan has remained an agrarian economy with agriculture regarded as the backbone of national development. For decades, the sector has employed a significant portion of the labor force and contributed substantially to GDP, foreign exchange earnings, and rural livelihoods. The country is endowed with vast tracts of fertile land, the world’s largest contiguous irrigation system, and a tradition of agricultural heritage that spans centuries. Moreover, successive governments have acknowledged the centrality of agriculture to Pakistan’s economy, initiating multiple reforms and establishing research institutions to enhance productivity and sustainability.Nonetheless, despite these favorable natural and institutional endowments, Pakistan’s agriculture sector remains chronically underdeveloped. Productivity levels are low, rural poverty is pervasive, food insecurity remains a pressing concern, and Pakistan continues to lag behind regional competitors like India and Bangladesh in terms of agricultural modernization and output. This paradox demands a closer examination. Why has a sector with so much promise failed to achieve structural transformation?
An Overview of the Agricultural Potential of Pakistan
At the time of independence, agriculture was not merely a dominant sector in Pakistan’s economy, it was the economy. Approximately 85 percent of the population resided in rural areas, dependent directly or indirectly on agricultural activities. Recognizing this reality, the early leadership of Pakistan placed a strong emphasis on land development, irrigation expansion, and food self-sufficiency. Pakistan is blessed with over 79 million hectares of agricultural land, of which nearly 23 million hectares are cultivated. The Indus Basin Irrigation System, the largest contiguous irrigation network in the world, provides water to more than 80% of the cultivated area. This hydrological asset gives Pakistan a unique advantage in crop diversification and year-round agricultural production. In addition, Pakistan established numerous agricultural research institutions and universities, such as the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), and provincial agricultural universities that aimed to disseminate scientific knowledge and improved seed varieties to farming communities. With a favorable climate in many regions, a variety of agro-ecological zones, and a well-rooted farming tradition, Pakistan had all the ingredients necessary for agricultural transformation. Moreover, policy interventions such as the introduction of Green Revolution technologies in the 1960s brought temporary surges in crop yields, especially in wheat and rice. However, these gains proved unsustainable in the absence of institutional reform and effective governance, and the sector eventually fell back into stagnation.
Key Challenges That Hindered Agricultural Development
- Ineffective Implementation of Land Reforms
One of the most crucial impediments to agricultural development in Pakistan has been the failure to implement meaningful land reforms. Land ownership in the country has historically been skewed in favor of a small elite class—many of whom exercised political influence and legislative control. Successive land reforms initiated in 1959, 1972, and 1977 aimed to redistribute land, impose ceilings on landholdings, and provide land to landless tenants. However, these reforms were marred by legal loopholes, evasion through land transfers within families, and lack of political will.
The World Bank Report (2008) noted that land reforms in Pakistan failed largely because feudal elites dominated the legislative and administrative apparatus, thereby ensuring that reforms did not threaten their interests. As a result, large landowners continued to exercise control over vast tracts of land, often leaving tenants with little incentive or capacity to invest in productivity-enhancing technologies. In contrast, countries like South Korea and Taiwan where genuine land reforms were implemented saw massive gains in rural productivity and equity. The persistence of feudal structures in Pakistan not only stifled innovation and productivity but also deepened socio-economic inequalities, making agricultural development a distant ideal.
- Outdated Farming Techniques and Low Mechanization
Another significant constraint on agricultural progress has been the continued reliance on outdated farming techniques. A large proportion of Pakistan’s farmers still use centuries-old practices, including wooden plows, flood irrigation, and manual sowing and harvesting. These methods not only result in low crop yields but also exacerbate labor inefficiencies and soil degradation. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO, 2020), over 65% of Pakistani farmers still depend on traditional methods, and only a small minority has access to mechanized tools such as tractors, harvesters, or laser land levelers. The consequences of low mechanization are manifold. Firstly, yields per hectare for major crops such as wheat, cotton, and sugarcane remain significantly below global averages. Secondly, traditional irrigation methods lead to excessive water usage and salinity problems, further deteriorating soil quality. Thirdly, the lack of mechanized post-harvest processing contributes to considerable crop losses, estimated at 15–20% annually. This technological inertia is partly due to lack of credit facilities, inadequate farmer training, and poor extension services. Consequently, even when modern techniques are available, they remain underutilized, leaving Pakistan’s agriculture stuck in a low-productivity trap.
- Inadequate Investment in Agricultural Infrastructure and Research
Although Pakistan has a reasonably strong network of agricultural research institutions, investment in research and development has remained negligible relative to the sector’s importance. The Economic Survey of Pakistan (2021) revealed that less than 0.3% of GDP was allocated to agriculture research and development, a figure far below the global benchmark of 1% recommended for developing economies. This chronic underinvestment has stifled innovation in seed technology, pest control, climate-resilient crops, and soil management. Moreover, infrastructural investments in storage facilities, rural roads, cold chains, and farm-to-market connectivity have been inconsistent and poorly planned. As a result, rural farmers face significant barriers in accessing markets, obtaining fair prices for their produce, and minimizing post-harvest losses. The absence of an integrated supply chain limits value addition and prevents Pakistan from becoming competitive in agro-exports. In sum, the weak nexus between research, infrastructure, and field-level implementation has rendered much of Pakistan’s agricultural potential unrealized.
- Mismanagement of Water Resources and Irrigation Issues
Despite having the world’s largest irrigation system, Pakistan faces a looming water crisis, largely due to poor management and outdated irrigation practices. The Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR, 2018) issued a stark warning that the country could face absolute water scarcity by 2025 if existing trends continue. Much of this scarcity is not due to lack of availability but due to misallocation, canal seepage, and lack of modern irrigation techniques such as drip or sprinkler systems. The traditional method of flood irrigation, prevalent in most farming areas, leads to massive water wastage and contributes to waterlogging and salinity, two of the most pressing soil-related challenges in the country. Additionally, the absence of water pricing and regulation has encouraged overuse and inefficiency. Inter-provincial water disputes, bureaucratic inertia, and lack of investment in water conservation technologies have further compounded the problem. Thus, Pakistan’s water abundance has paradoxically become a liability, illustrating how resource mismanagement can nullify even the most significant natural advantages.
- Policy Gaps and Institutional Fragmentation
In addition to land, water, and technology-related issues, the governance architecture of Pakistan’s agricultural sector has suffered from chronic fragmentation and policy inconsistency. Over the decades, numerous federal and provincial bodies have shared overlapping responsibilities for agriculture, leading to inefficiency, miscommunication, and turf wars. This institutional diffusion has stymied long-term strategic planning and created confusion regarding roles in research, extension, marketing, and pricing. Dr. Ishrat Husain, in his book Governing the Ungovernable, highlights that weak inter-agency coordination, excessive bureaucracy, and shifting political priorities have repeatedly disrupted the formulation and implementation of agricultural policies in Pakistan. For instance, price support schemes have been inconsistently applied, while subsidies often benefit large landlords rather than smallholders who need them the most. The lack of reliable data, poor monitoring systems, and the absence of performance-based accountability mechanisms have further contributed to erratic policy formulation. Moreover, agricultural credit policies have disproportionately favored well-connected individuals, leaving marginal farmers excluded from formal financing channels. This financing gap prevents investment in productivity-enhancing inputs such as high-yield seeds, fertilizers, and machinery. Combined with market volatility and the lack of crop insurance, the policy environment has remained risk-prone, discouraging innovation and private sector participation. Thus, even well-intentioned reforms have faltered in the face of bureaucratic inertia and institutional inefficiency.
Suggestive Analysis
The paradox of Pakistan’s agriculture, where abundant resources coexist with chronic underperformance, can be attributed not to any natural deficiency but to deep-seated structural, technological, and institutional flaws. The failure to translate land, water, and research capital into productive outcomes reflects a fundamental misalignment between resource availability and implementation capacity. This misalignment is exacerbated by elite capture, weak governance, and short-termism in policy agendas. Nonetheless, the untapped potential of Pakistan’s agriculture remains immense. If harnessed effectively, agriculture can act as a transformative sector, boosting exports, reducing poverty, ensuring food security, and stimulating rural development. To achieve this transformation, Pakistan must undertake multi-dimensional reforms. These include the promotion of precision agriculture, digital monitoring of crop patterns, use of satellite imagery for early warning systems, and the introduction of climate-smart technologies to build resilience.
Furthermore, decentralization of agricultural governance to local governments can improve service delivery and ensure accountability. Capacity-building for farmers, especially women and youth, through agricultural extension services and mobile advisory platforms can also bridge the knowledge gap. Public-private partnerships should be encouraged to build value chains, develop cold storage networks, and enhance market access. Water resource management must be modernized through investment in canal lining, metering systems, and adoption of micro-irrigation methods. Finally, land reforms must be revisited, not only to ensure equitable land distribution but also to formalize land records and create a secure land tenure system that incentivizes investment. Transparent subsidy structures, reliable crop insurance, and real-time data on crop yields and prices can create an enabling environment for inclusive growth. The way forward, therefore, lies not in discovering new resources, but in utilizing existing ones wisely through institutional reform, political commitment, and technological modernization.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the persistent underdevelopment of Pakistan’s agriculture sector is a classic case of squandered potential. Despite possessing rich arable land, vast irrigation networks, a supportive climate, and a reasonable research infrastructure, the country has failed to unlock the sector’s transformative capacity. This failure stems not from scarcity of resources but from the inefficiency of their use—caused by weak policy implementation, outdated farming practices, ineffective land reforms, mismanagement of water resources, and fragmented institutional governance. Yet, this bleak picture is not immutable. With a coordinated, evidence-based, and technology-driven approach, Pakistan can revive its agriculture sector and position it as a driver of sustainable growth. It requires bold reforms, political will, and a reimagined role for institutions, farmers, and markets alike. The road ahead is challenging but promising—if the right lessons are drawn from past failures, agriculture can once again become the backbone of Pakistan’s economy in a truly meaningful and inclusive way
CSS 2009 Solved Pakistan Affairs
| 2- | Keeping in View the Diverse Muslim Reformist Movements of the Sub-continent, Delineate the Sequential Unity in Formulation of Ideology of Pakistan. |
| 3- | What Specific Steps were Initiated by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan which later-on became the Agenda Points of the Movement for Pakistan? How did these Steps Orient the Political System in Pakistan? |
| 4- | Illustrate the Role of Quaid-I-Azam For Protecting the Constitutional Rights of Muslims Of The Sub-Continent from 1916 to 1933 |
| 5- | Referring to the Evolution of Political System, Identify the Commonalities among Martial Law Administrators Of Pakistan. |
| 6- | Discuss and Debate the Strength of Diplomatic Stance of Pakistan Regarding “War On Terror”. How It Can Be Improvised In Present Geo-Political Scenario? |
| 7- | Compare and Contrast the Dynamics of Recent Civil Society Movement, with Other Movements in the History of Pakistan. What Impact It Would Print on the Future of Pakistan? |
| 8- | Inspite of Strong Research-Base, Rich Lands, Reasonable Water-Resources and Various Land-Reforms, Why Agriculture Sector Remained Less-Developed in Pakistan? |
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