Agriculture refers to the production of food and goods through farming and forestry.

Agriculture was the key development that led to the rise of civilization, with the
husbandry of domesticated animals and plants (i.e. crops) creating food surpluses that
enabled the development of more densely populated and stratified societies. The study of
agriculture is known as agricultural science (the related practice of gardening is studied in
horticulture).
In 2007, about one third of the world's workers were employed in agriculture. However,
the relative significance of farming has dropped steadily since the beginning of
industrialization, and in 2003 – for the first time in history – the services sector overtook
agriculture as the economic sector employing the most people worldwide. Despite the
fact that agriculture employs over one-third of the world's population, agricultural
production accounts for less than five percent of the gross world product (an aggregate of
all gross domestic products).

Agriculture in Pakistan
Pakistan is basically an agrarian country. This sector accounts for a large share of
GDP (slightly above 25 percent) and employment around 44 percent of work force. It is
the main source of foreign exchange earnings, and provides linkages through which it can
stimulate growth in other sectors. Being in such a dominant position, the growth of
agriculture is itself a major component of overall economic growth. Over the last decade,
agriculture grew at an annual average rate of 4.4 percent with large fluctuations mainly
on account of weather conditions and pest attacks on crops. Agriculture has also been
suffering from various problems, such as traditional methods of farming, low yields,
shortage of key inputs (credit, fertilizer, improved seed), adulterated pesticides, instable
price market and lack of attention to the sub-sectors other than crop farming.

The total geographical area of Pakistan according to agricultural statistics of Pakistan is

79.61 million hectares (mha) (about 197 million acres), of which only 25 % or 19.82
million hectares (about 48.96 million acres) are currently under cultivation. Out of the
total land area of Pakistan, the total land area of Punjab is 20.6 mha (about 50.90 million
acres), out of which 54 % or 11.04 mha (or 27.28 million acres) are cultivated. The total
land area of Sindh is 14.1 mha (or 34.84 million acres), out of which nearly 39 % or 5.45
mha (or 13.45 million acres) are cultivated. The total land area of Balochistan is 34.7 mha
(or 85.74 million acres), out of which only 4 % or 1.4 mha (or 3.46 million acres) are
cultivated, and the total land area of NWFP comprises of 10.2 mha (25.20 million acres),
out of which nearly 10% or 1.93 mha (or 4.77 million acres) are cultivated. The vast
areas of country generally own good fertile soil, a favourable climate and with the world's
largest elaborated canal irrigation network. Pakistan is fortunate in that the soil,
topography and climate are generally suitable for the year round agriculture. Major
agricultural areas lie within the plains formed by Indus river and its tributaries namely
Kabul, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej, which run in a general northeast/south-west
direction. Indus plains are like a tunnel with number of water sources at the top,
converging into single stream, which flows into the Arabian Sea, east of Karachi.
Pakistan's principal natural resources are arable land and water. About 25% of Pakistan's
total land area is under cultivation and is watered by one of the largest irrigation systems
in the world. Pakistan irrigates three times more acres than Russia. Pakistan is one of the
world's largest producers and suppliers of the following according to the 2005 Food and
Agriculture Organization of The United Nations and FAOSTAT given here with ranking:
• Chickpea (2nd)
• Apricot (4th)
• Cotton (4th)
• Sugarcane (4th)
• Milk (5th)
• Onion (5th)
• Date Palm (6th)
• Mango (7th)
• Tangerines, mandarin orange, clementine (8th)
• Rice (8th)
• Wheat (9th)
• Oranges (10th)
Pakistan ranks fifth in the Muslim world and twentieth worldwide in farm output. It is the
world's fifth largest milk producer.
The economic importance of agriculture has declined since independence, when its share
of GDP was around 53%. Following the poor harvest of 1993, the government introduced
agriculture assistance policies, including increased support prices for many agricultural
commodities and expanded availability of agricultural credit. From 1993 to 1997, real
growth in the agricultural sector averaged 5.7% but has since declined to about 4%.
Agricultural reforms, including increased wheat and oilseed production, play a central
role in the government's economic reform package.
Much of the Pakistan's agriculture output is utilized by the country's growing processed-
food industry. The value of processed retail food sales has grown 12 percent annually
during the Nineties and was estimated at over $1 billion in 2000, although supermarkets
accounted for just over 10% of the outlets.
The Federal Bureau of Statistics provisionally valued major crop yields at Rs.504,868
million in 2005 thus registering over 55% growth since 2000 while minor crop yields
were valued at Rs.184,707 million in 2005 thus registering over 41% growth since 2000.
Pakistan has two principal crop seasons: the “Kharif”, which begins in April-June and
ends in October-December, and the “Rabi”, which beings in October-December and ends
in April-May. Rice, sugarcane, cotton, maize, bajra and jowar are “Kharif” crops while
wheat, gram, tobacco, rapeseed, barely and mustard are “Rabi” crops. Major crops such
as wheat, rice, cotton, sugarcane, and maize continue to account for nearly 90 percent of
value added in the agricultural crop sector. The minor crops consist of pulses, potatoes,
onions, chillies, garlic etc. The performance of the “Kharif” and “Rabi” crops is given in
the following paragraphs:

Cotton: Cotton is the main cash crop, which contributes significantly to the national
economy. It accounts for 11.7 per cent of value added in agriculture and 2.9 percent of
GDP. In addition to providing raw material to the local textile industry, the lint cotton is a
major export items.

Rice: Rice is the second largest staple food crop in Pakistan and is a major export item
accounting for 6.1 percent of total export earnings over the last five years. It accounts for
6.3 percent in value added in agriculture and 1.6 percent in GDP.

Sugarcane: The sugarcane crop serves as a major raw material for production of white
sugar and gur. It is also a cash crop. Its share in value added in agriculture and GDP are
6.7 and 1.7 percent, respectively.

Wheat: Wheat accounts for nearly 45.6 percent of cropland. Although the governments in
the past made efforts to increase acreage under wheat cultivation. Acreage in wheat
nevertheless fluctuated during the last five years. The contribution of wheat in the value
added in agriculture stands at 12.5 percent and its share in the GDP is 3.1 percent.

Livestock
According to the Economic Survey of Pakistan, the livestock sector contributes about half
of the value added in the agriculture sector, amounting to nearly 11 per cent of Pakistan's
GDP, which is more than the crop sector.
The leading daily newspaper Jang reports that the national herd consists of 24.2 million
cattle, 26.3 million buffaloes, 24.9 million sheep, 56.7 million goats and 0.8 million
camels. In addition to these there is a vibrant poultry sector in the country with more than
530 million birds produced annually. These animals produce 29.472 million tons of milk
(making Pakistan the 5th largest producer of milk in the world), 1.115 million tons of
beef, 0.740 million tons of mutton, 0.416 million tons of poultry meat, 8.528 billion eggs,
40.2 thousand tons of wool, 21.5 thousand tons of hair and 51.2 million skins and hides.
The Food and Agriculture Organization reported in June 2006 that in Pakistan, the
world's fifth largest milk producing country, government initiatives are being undertaken
to modernize milk collection and to improve milk and milk product storage capacity.
The Federal Bureau of Statistics provisionally valued this sector at Rs.758,470 million in
2005 thus registering over 70% growth since 2000.
Fishery
Fishery plays an important role in the national economy. It provides employment to about
400,000 fishermen directly. In addition, another 500,000 people are employed in
ancillary industries. It is also a major source of export earning. In July-May 2002-03 fish
and fishery products valued at US $ 117 million were exported from Pakistan. Federal
Government is responsible for fishery of Exclusive Economic Zone of Pakistan.
The major fish harbours of Pakistan are:
• Karachi Fisheries Harbour is being operated by Provincial Government of Sindh.
• Karachi Fish Harbour handles about 90% of fish and seafood catch in Pakistan
and 95% of fish and seafood exports from Pakistan.
• Korangi Fish Harbour is being managed by Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture
and Livestock.
• Pasni Fish Harbour being operated by Provincial Government of Balochistan.
• Gwadar Fish Harbour being operated by Federal Ministry of Communication.
The Federal Bureau of Statistics provisionally valued this sector at Rs.18,290 million in
2005 thus registering over 10% growth since 2000.
Forestry
The Federal Bureau of Statistics provisionally valued this sector at Rs.25,637 million in
2005 thus registering over 3% decline since 2000.
Pakistan is a net food exporter, except in occasional years when its harvest is adversely
affected by droughts. Pakistan exports rice, cotton, fish, fruits, and vegetables and
imports vegetable oil, wheat, cotton, pulses and consumer foods. The country is Asia's
largest camel market, second-largest apricot and ghee market and third-largest cotton,
onion and milk market.
Pakistan has the third fastest growing economy in Asia. Its economy encompasses
textiles, chemicals, food processing, agriculture and other industries. In terms of
purchasing power, it is the 26th largest economy in the world while in absolute dollar
terms it is the 47th largest.

Agriculture accounted for about 53% of GDP in 1947. While per-capita agricultural
output has grown since then, it has been outpaced by the growth of the non-agricultural
sectors, and the share of agriculture has dropped to roughly one-fifth of Pakistan's
economy.
In recent years, the country has seen rapid growth in industries (such as apparel, textiles,
and cement) and services (such as telecommunications, transportation, advertising, and
finance).
Industries that are directly or indirectly associated with agriculture also shares an
important role in economy of Pakistan because the raw material is obtained from
agriculture and is processed to produce refined product. Many industries are dependent
on agriculture whether directly or indirectly.
Main industries: textiles, chemicals, food processing, steel, transport equipment,
Tobacco, automotives, machinery, beverages, construction, materials, clothing, paper
products, sports, leather and Tanneries, pharmaceutical, sugar industries. All these are the
main industries and all are dependent on agriculture, hence contributing in the economy
of the country.
Export goods: textile goods (garments, bed linen, cotton cloths, and yarn), rice, leather
goods, sports goods, chemicals manufactures, carpets and rugs. All the export goods are
agriculture based and hence help in getting foreign exchange and results in enhancing the
value of Rupee.

Conclusion
Since the establishment of Pakistan, it is evident from the facts that it is agriculture based
country and, if all not, than most of its industries are dependent on agriculture. Along
with providing food and employment to its people, it also contributes in strengthening the
economy of the country. All exports are mainly from agriculture sector and if there is no
such export than the scenario of the country will be completely different. Hence
agriculture is back bone of our economy.

References
1) Economic Survey of Pakistan, 2005-6

2) Business & Finance Review

3) http://www.jdhr.org/publications/papers/Policy%20Paper%20on
%20agriculturep-Shafqat.pdf

4) www.accountancy.com.pk/docs/economic-survey-of-pakistan-2006-
07.pdf

5) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agriculture

6) http://www.apo-tokyo.org/gp/e_publi/penang_symp/Penang_Symp_P167-
178.pdf