AGRICULTURE POLICY KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA

A Ten Year Perspective

(2013-2023)

Introduction

The need for a new policy 

...

Click to Download Complete Policy Document

Approaches and process followed in formulating the policy 

Work on preparation of the agriculture policy and strategy was initiated shortly after the request for assistance was made to the FAO by provincial Agriculture secretariat in 2012.The work was done in a highly participative manner. In the first phase departmental experts shared information on their mandate, funding, human resources and implementation status of projects and programs. Concurrently work was started on identification of high potential commodities and detailed plans for value chain development were initiated based on the information collected through questionnaires from concerned institutional/departmental heads of all districts. A planning and prioritization workshop was held in Peshawar on 28 July 2012 to draw together the outcome of district level priority setting process. The workshop, which included representatives from Agriculture and Livestock Departments from the provincial and districts levels, the Agriculture University Peshawar and the Chamber of Commerce, resulted in a strong consensus on the need to develop business plans on priority commodity areas with specific targets and strategies.
In late August2012 consultations were also undertaken with senior officials of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Department of Agriculture2, NGOs/CSOs and farmers. A preliminary draft of the policy was discussed with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government at a meeting in Islamabad on 12th September and the overall policy and strategic directions were endorsed workshop with a wide group of stakeholders was held on October 3, 2012 to validate the draft policy circulated among the key stakeholders starting from Chief Secretary, departmental heads, civil society representatives, farmers along with international agencies representatives. The policy document was endorsed with a number of observations and suggestions that are further incorporated. Subsequently, working groups were set up to prepare detailed action plans and costs estimates for the activities set out in Chapter 5 of the policy. Agriculture and Food Security Policy

Introduction

The Government resolves to achieve value added growth in the agriculture sector for both domestic and export markets. An essential part of this programme is to achieve food security and to raise overall rates of economic growth for the benefit of all sections of the society. Raising the growth rate of agriculture which contributes 21.4 percent to GDP and employs 45 percent of the labour force, is a key element to achieve this goal. According to the former Planning Commission (now the Ministry of Planning and Development), the agriculture sector needs to grow at 5 percent for reducing poverty and reaching the growth targets of 7-8 percent for the national economy of Pakistan. Higher growth rates will come mainly from middle to larger farmers who have the investment and risk bearing capacity to diversify and innovate. However, pattern of agriculture growth also needs to take account of the needs of the rural poor including small farmers, nomadic and transhumant and the landless. These groups, which have often been ignored in the past, can also make a significant contribution to growth and to overall improved living conditions in rural areas. In addition, these growth enhancing and poverty reduction polices need to be accompanied by well targeted polices that ensure food and nutrition security for all.

...

Click to download complete policy document

Agriculture Policy in Pakistan – what it is and what it should be

by Sohail Jehangir Malik PhD

Chairman Innovative Development Strategies (Pvt.) Ltd

Click to download 

Documents related to Agriculture