M. Armaghan Zia Malik
Moiz Farooq
Specialists never predicted food shortage in Pakistan and understand that the current year’s produce would cover up the local needs or requirements
In the history of humans and their evolution two things have been a constant beyond a shadow of a doubt, one are wars and the others being epidemics and pandemics. If we remove war and infectious disease from the equation of the human evolution then there would be no human growth and evolution because we as humans have a tendency to function at are optimal best in times of crisis because we then feel a higher sense of purpose for the things we do! It’s a famous saying that “Crisis brings out the best in the ordinary”.
The world as a whole has seen huge number of epidemic spread infectious diseases from the ancient times till today. As for our country Pakistan we have also witnessed our share of infectious spread diseases over the years in the form of epidemics. Some have a slight impact on agricultural sector while others have a larger and severe impact. In the article a few examples of epidemics and pandemics that have hit Pakistan are discussed as follows,
Pakistan in terms of dengue the infamous disease has faced a huge brunt in terms of its long shadowy presence since 1994. Dengue initiated and appeared in Pakistan in 1994 through the courtesy of the Sri Lanka and India because it started in that country and eventually also came in Pakistan. Dengue disease is brought about by any of 4 distinct serotypes of the infection (DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3, and DEN-4). After initiation time of 2-8 days after an infective mosquito bite, the illness usually starts with unexpected beginning of fever and headache. Dengue Surveillance Cell Sind area of Pakistan reports 1,809 associated Dengue out with which 881 affirmed till eleventh October 2010 with 5 deaths while 16 affirmed cases revealed in Islamabad with no mortality.
So in this way as far as dengue is concerned it did not have grave consequences on the agricultural sector because of its mild affects on humans. It did not disturb the agricultural side so much that are worth mentioning.
Malaria is also a mosquito transmitted infectious disease that was common in Pakistan. Malaria is the fifth leading cause of death worldwide. Pakistan is considered as a moderate malaria-endemic country but still, 177 million individuals are at risk of malaria. Roughly 60% of Pakistan’s population, live in malaria-epidemic regions
BMC (Bolan Medical College Quetta) conducted a survey in which they derived the following results, The 364 cases recruited from Northern Punjab with the highest incidence in Rawalpindi (25.5%) and lowest in Chakwal (15.9%). From Southern Punjab 561 cases were enlisted Rajanpur (21.4%) maximum and lowest from Multan and Rahim Yar Khan (18%). The slide positivity rate, annual parasite incidence, and annual blood examination rates were 5.7 per 1000 population, 0.1, and 0.2% respectively. Malaria is more prevalent in rural areas due to low socioeconomic conditions.
As Malaria is common in rural areas it directly affects the agricultural sector. Farmers living environment was found to be contributing in the spread of disease. Results also show that malaria affects labor time at harvesting stage as it is more labor-intensive stage of production. We see thaty malaria significantly affects the health of farm workers and their families forcing farm families to substitute family labor with hired labor. Further, the cost incurred on cure of disease significantly adds to the cost on agricultural production. This consequently leads to a substantial reduction in revenue and negatively affects the agricultural side.
Now if we talk about another epidemic i.e. Corona Virus which basically started as an epidemic in China and then gradually turned into an all out pandemic. It is worth noting that Yes Absolutely corona virus did had a devastating effect on the agricultural side. The details of which are mentioned below,
Specialists never predicted food shortage in Pakistan and understand that the current year’s produce would cover up the local needs or requirements. Covid, notwithstanding, is a danger to the people who put the food on our plates and has upset the entire food store network including farmers advertisers, processors, transporters, sellers and customers.
The pandemic basically uncovered the mistakes and outdated and old school practices in the farming sector that had prompted underperformance. “The COVID-19 has divulged Pakistan’s ineffectively overseen food supply chain that prompted food wastage and reduced prices, influencing the unfortunate farmers,” said Syed Mahmood Nawaz, VP of the Sindh Abadgar Board. “The loss is evident due to the global pandemic but government can limit losses with proper harvesting, storage and cross-border movement of goods to Iran and Afghanistan, and to the UAE by sea and beyond via cargo flights.”
In May 2020, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) conducted a computer-assisted telephone survey of 668 farmers across 10 districts of Punjab Province and interviewed about 429 farmers. The survey collected information on how COVID-19- related measures and disruptions affected the harvesting and marketing of winter season (rabi) crops and livestock products, availability and price of inputs, and financial needs of farmers.
About 33% of survey respondents indicated that their households experienced losses in wages and nonfarm earnings because of COVID-19, and 22% reported that at least one family member had returned home from urban and other areas. Farm households are burdened by increase in the number of household members and reduced cash income, which result in reduced nonfood expenditures (11.0Much of the wheat harvest and marketing was spared fromCOVID-19-related problems. However, vegetable and fruit growers were affected because they were unable sell their produce owing to market closures and restricted movement of goods) and lower food consumption (9.8%).
Experts accept that COVID-19 is a chance for Pakistan to reform the agriculture sector and recommend the following measures:
1. Reasonable farming automation to further develop creation, make more positions (by preparing and training workers) and support youth investment. local creation of tractors and other modern gear ought to be empowered while making it accessible at feasible cost.
2. Associating Pakistan’s Farming industry with innovation, manufacturing, designing, web based business, can offer large number advantages, for example, supporting economy, making position and further developing lives.
3. Government ought to assume a leading part to guarantee food security and control cost. Directly purchasing from the farmers and pushing the middle man out of the situation would eliminate obstructions and minimize corrupt practices
4. Lack of cold storages, proper packaging and food handling limit is one of the significant reasons of food waste. Investment in refrigerated transport and cold storages for food essentials like milk, fruits, spices.
Writers are the students of SZABIST Islamabad
