Agriculture sector surpasses target of 3.5 percent

Agriculture sector registered a positive growth of 3.81 percent and surpassed its target of 3.5 percent, according to the Economic Survey 2017-18.
The survey noted that during year 2017-18 wheat and maize crop production remained subdued, as it witnessed decline of 4.43 percent and 7.04 percent, respectively.
The major Kharif crops such as sugarcane and rice surpassed their production targets during 2017-18 by recording growth of 7.45 percent and 8.65 percent, respectively, while cotton crop production managed to exceed last year's production level by recording growth of 11.85 percent.
According to the Survey, the positive growth of agriculture sector is due to higher yields, attractive output prices, and supportive government policies, better availability of certified seeds, pesticides, agriculture credit and intensive fertilizers consumption.
It further noted that the crops sector performed well and witnessed a growth rate of 3.83 percent against last year's growth of 0.91 percent. The growth in sub sectors, important crops, other crops and cotton ginning registered a significant growth of 3.57 percent, 3.33 percent and 8.72 percent, respectively, against last year's growth of 2.18 percent, -2.66 percent and 5.58 percent respectively.
Other crops having share of 10.80 percent in agriculture value addition and 2.04 percent in GDP, grew by 3.33 percent on the back of increase in the production of fodder, vegetables and fruits.
The Survey revealed that during the year 2017-18, wheat crop was cultivated on an area of 8,734 thousand hectares showing a decrease of 2.6 percent compared to 8,972 thousand hectares during the corresponding period last year. Wheat production stood at 25.492 million tons during 2017-18 recording a decline of 4.4 percent over the production of 26.674 million tons last year.
Wheat accounts for 9.1 percent of the value added in agriculture and 1.7 of GDP of Pakistan. The shortfall in production is attributed to decline in area sown, delayed and prolonged sugarcane crushing season, acute water shortages and fog and smog in the country.
According to the survey during 2017-18, cotton production stood at 11.935 million bales and recorded growth of 11.8 percent over the production of 10.671 million bales during same period last year. Cotton crop has 1.0 percent share in GDP and contributes 5.5 percent to agriculture value addition.
Cotton crop was cultivated on an area of 2,699 thousand hectares compared to last year's area of 2,489 thousand hectares - an increase of 8.4 percent. The production increased due to better economic returns received during this year, promotion campaign of cotton by the government, and interval of rains produced wholesome affect on cotton yield and availability of inputs at subsidized rates.
Sugarcane crop of year 2017-18, witnessed another record season with output at 81.102 million tons showing an increase of 7.4 percent over last year's production of 75.482 million tons which comfortably exceeded the target of 70.3 million tons by a considerable margin of 15.4 percent.
According to the Survey, sugarcane production accounts for 3.6 percent in agriculture's value addition and 7 percent in overall GDP.
Sugarcane crop, cultivated on an area of 1,313 thousand hectares compared to last year's area of 1,218 thousand hectares, witnessed an increase of 7.8 percent. The sugarcane production increased due to increase in area sown and good economic returns encouraged growers to bring more area under cultivation.
Rice accounts for 3.1 percent in the value-added in agriculture and 0.6 percent of GDP. During 2017-18 the area cultivated under rice crop has increased by 6.4 percent to 2,899 thousand hectares compared to 2,724 thousand hectares of the corresponding period of last year.
The production of rice reached historically high level of 7,442 thousand tons against the production of 6,849 thousand tons and recorded an increase of 8.7 percent over last year. Rice area increased due to higher domestic prices and availability of inputs at subsidized rates.
Maize contributes 2.4 percent to value added in agriculture and 0.5 percent to GDP. During 2017-18, maize crop was cultivated on an area of 1,229 thousand hectares and witnessed decline of 8.8 percent over last year's cultivated area of 1,348 thousand hectares. Maize crop production recorded a decline of 7 percent as its production stood at 5.702 million tons compared to last year's production of 6.134 million tons. The decline in production occurred due to decrease in area cultivated as maize growers switched over to sugarcane and rice crops.
During year 2017-18, livestock contributed 58.9 percent to the agriculture value added and 11.1 percent to the overall GDP compared to 58.9 percent and 11.3 percent respectively during the corresponding period last year.
During 2017-18, gram production witnessed an increase of 3 percent on account of increase in area sown and favourable weather conditions prevalent at the time of sowing. Gram is the largest Rabi pulse crop, accounting for 76 percent of total production of pulses in the country and occupies about 5 percent of cropped area.
The production of Bajra, Jowar and Rapeseed & Mustard witnessed increase of 9.8 percent, 4.1 percent and 0.1 percent, respectively. The production of barley recorded a decline of 0.3 percent in production during 2017-18.
According the Survey, the production of Onion, Mash, and Chilies during 2017-18, posted a positive growth of 8.1 percent 4.2 percent and 3.8 percent, respectively, compared to their production last year. However, the production of pulse Masoor (Lentil) and Potato remained the same as last year, while the production of Moong was 8.7 percent lower than last year's production.