Corporate farming?

Shahzeb Iqbal
Success produces confidence; confidence relaxes industry, and negligence ruins the reputation which accuracy had raised.
The situation at present in the investment sector of Pakistan reflects the same. No matter how far may we reach in our imaginations but the reality would remain the same. It is intended at present that the Pakistani land may be allowed to be used by the foreign investors for the purpose of utilising its produce. The Board of Investment (BOI) had made tremendous efforts to assure the foreign nationals about the facilities which may be available to them while investing in Pakistan. But this may not be possible.
Initially, the government should pay attention to the prevailing problems in the agricultural sector. Inadequate availability of water, the soil’s dreadful conditions, customary agricultural practices, salinity and water logging, vague distribution of water within the canal commands, poor macro water management and widening gap between water supply and demand are some of the major challenges facing our agricultural sector. Moreover, the health and safety regulation that may be helpful in the better production of agriculture products is another problem. The only regulation that has been adopted in this regard is the Agriculture Pesticides Ordinance, 1971. The main objective of the ordinance is to control import, distribution, and sale of pesticides. However, it does not contain provisions for safeguarding the health of the farmers. Only a few farmers could be educated and inspired to use the modern plant protection technology. A majority of the provincial extension field staff is not qualified nor well trained in this highly skilled job.
It would now be easier to discuss the possibility of intervention of foreign investors in our agricultural sector. The BOI adopted the Foreign Private Investment Act 1976 to give effect to the foreign investment. The legislation makes it quite clear that the investment could only be brought in Pakistan if there is any treaty between Pakistan and the foreign investor’s state.