Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock is actively working for implementation of a comprehensive programme for Capacity Building and Rural Modernisation to develop a holistic and integrated vision and provincial strategies for rural modernisation.
According to an official source, Federal government has identified the modernisation of the rural sector as a top priority under Khushhal Pakistan Programme. Relevant ministries; government agencies and institutions; non-government organisations; and private sector groups, including farmer organisations, processors, importers and exporters will be consulted during implementation to obtain their views on current conditions, recent developments, constraints, opportunities, policy issues, and required reforms to modernise the rural sector.
According to an action plan, the rural sector underpins the economic and social structure of Pakistan's economy. Approximately 77 percent of the nation's population, and the vast majority of its poor, resides in rural areas. Most derive their living from agriculture and off-farm employment.
Agriculture remains the single largest sector of Pakistan's economy, and is the most important sector for employment and income generation.
The sector accounts for about 26 percent of real gross domestic product (GDP) and approximately 50 percent of employment. Growth in the sector has been stagnating over the past few years, although it is likely to remain the primary contributor for some time.
An uncertain policy environment (especially concerning the prices and marketing of major crops) combined with widespread resource degradation has contributed to low productivity and profitability. Other contributors to the sector's poor performance include low quality inputs, poor support services, inefficient water resource management, inadequate rural infrastructure, and a deteriorating natural resource base.
Secondary occupations have become more common in recent years as agriculture can no longer meet the income needs of a growing rural population. Landowners seek additional income by investing in business ventures outside the community. Other occupational groups are less able to invest in this manner and must seek paid employment outside the community or in urban areas. Lessee tenants obtain paid employment or invest in small businesses outside the village.
Artisans have moved into related occupations where possible, but many families depend on income from family members working outside the village. Sharecroppers and landless labourers have few options, particularly if they are bonded.
Achieving high and sustained broad-based economic growth, reducing poverty, creating job opportunities, providing essential social and economic services and infrastructure to the poor, and improving governance in rural areas are fundamental development challenges for Pakistan.
The importance of these challenges was noted in the government's policy, in which rural modernisation was identified as a priority area for improvement. Based on the vision and strategies, the government will develop best practice rural modernisation frameworks and models in selected districts in each province on a pilot basis.
Institutional structures and private-public partnerships will be proposed that could catalyse and co-ordinate the implementation of the rural development models. Foreign Assistance will also be provided for implementing the models in the districts. The models will also be replicated on a wider basis in other districts.
Accelerated rural modernisation based on implementing rural modernisation models and communities will be fully involved in the planning and implementation of the modernisation models in the pilot districts. Provincial strategies will be prepared and models tested in each province on a pilot basis.
Focal umbrella institutional mechanisms will be created to provide direction and co-ordination for rural modernisation. Government capacity to plan, promote, and support rural modernisation will be strengthened. According to official sources, workshops, seminars, focus group discussions, and use of various media will be used to disseminate information, to publicise project activities, and to obtain stakeholder input.
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