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Agriculture / Horticulture Awaran
Introduction
The agricultural characteristics of Awaran are similar to those of Panjgur, Kharan, and Chaghi district. Wheat is the principal crop on which population of the district depends. In the north-west area of Mashkai most of the people consume dates or grain. Wheat is supplied from Khuzdar, Lasbela, and Quetta. The major Rabi crops of the district include wheat and barley. Kharif corps in the area produce fruit and pulses. Fodder and vegetables are cultivated in the area throughout the year. The agricultural production in the district is very limited. In 1995-96, wheat was cultivated on 1,720 hectares of land and the production was 1,148 tonnes. Barley was grown on 7,118 hectares, with a production of 6,708 tonnes. Fruit was cultivated only in 40 hectares and the production was 80 tonnes. Fodder and vegetable were in 200 and 50 hectares and production was 62 and 223 tonnes respectively.
Men and women both work in the agriculture sector. Generally the land owner himself cultivates the land while big landowners employ tenants for their lands.
Classification of Land
The total arable area of the district is 71,520 hectares which is merely 3.3 percent of the whole geographical area. The irrigated area is 57,932 hectares and un-irrigated is 13,588 hectares. Culturable waste is 16,092 hectares which is a challenge for the Agriculture Department. See also paragraph 1.1.
Land Ownership and Tenure System
In Awaran only a few big land owners possess agricultural land. They give the land on lease or on contract for cultivation on the basis of equal distribution of crops to the tenants. Small land owners cultivate the land by themselves with the help of their family members. The women also assist the men in harvesting activities. Some land owners hire the labourers on permanent basis for cultivation, but they pay very small wages to these labourers.
Agricultural Statistics
The agricultural statistics are collected by the Agriculture Department at union Council level. A Field Assistant carries out this job. In district Awaran the agricultural statistics do not cover all the sectors of production, as it is very difficult to collect statistics in remote areas. Moreover, the data of Awaran as a separate district have not yet been published in the Agricultural Statistics of Balochistan. The only source of such information is still the Agriculture Officer, Khuzdar. The data are available for 25,688 hectares only while the total arable land is 71,520 hectares.
Crops (1995-96)
Area (Ha.)
Production (tonnes)
Yield (kg/Ha.)
Barley
7,718
6,708.3
869
Wheat
1,720
1,148.6
668
Vegetables
50
223.2
4,464
Fruits
40
80.0
2,000
Pulses
35
11.1
317
Fodder
5
62.0
10,400
Others
120
857.1
71,476
Total
25,688
9,090.3
Source:
Agriculture Officer, Khuzdar
Cropping Pattern
The entire district depends upon single cropping due to the lack of irrigation water. Vegetables and fodder are the regular crops cultivated throughout the year. Dates of fine quality are a major fruit of the area. However in the areas where tubewells have been installed, the land owners are engaged in various types of cropping activities. Wheat, barley, and dates are the main crops of the area.
Average Yields / Total production
The average yield of agricultural produce is not good enough to give considerable monetary benefit to the farmers. The main reason is the irregular pattern of rainfall and lack of irrigation facilities. No time series data are available about the total production and average yield of different crops.
Organization of Production/Farming Systems
In Awaran, land is cultivated by using old traditional methods. However, mechanical cultivation and the use of fertilisers and better seeds are becoming popular. The use of these modern techniques is still limited. Tractors are being used by the big land owners. The entire families of the farmers get involved in agricultural activities. The women and children work for instance during the processing, cleaning, and packing of dates.
Irrigation
According to the statistics, the majority (72%) of the arable land is irrigated by flood water. Tube wells irrigate only 2 percent of the arable land. By constructing the proposed dams in Mashkai tehsil area, the irrigation system can be improved in the area.
Irrigation Sources (1994-95)
Area (Ha.)
% of total Arable Land
Tube wells
1,430
02.0
Karees
2,862
04.0
Springs
2,146
03.0
Flood Irrigation
51,494
72.0
Rain-fed
13,588
19.0
Total
71,520
100.0
Source:
Executive Engineer, Irrigation Division, Khuzdar
Agricultural Mechanisation
Agricultural mechanisation is on its way in the district. Tractors are being used in cultivation and sowing of crops. However, only the big land owners have tractors. The small farmers use traditional systems for agricultural activities.
Agricultural / Horticultural inputs
Chemical fertilisers are used in limited quantities, but no figures are available. The use of pesticides to protect the crops is also limited. The role of the Agriculture Department is minimal due to unavailability of funds.
Marketing
No formal marketing network exists in the district. Most of the production is consumed locally. Only dates are exported to Quetta and Karachi. People directly sell their products in the market.
Producer and Consumer Prices of major Crops
In Awaran prices are not fixed for agricultural products. The prices fixed by the Union Council are not effective in the market. Most of the prices depend upon crops production and the principle of demand and supply. Grain production of the district does not meet the requirements of the area. The district depends on the supply from the Food Department. Generally the price of dates is fixed at the Karachi market through commission agents.
Levels of Income
The agricultural production in the area is very limited due to which the level of income is minimal. The average yield of cash crops like wheat and vegetables is low. The level of income can be raised by the development of irrigation systems and new technology in the agriculture sector. No proper statistics are available regarding the level of income in the district.
Department of Agricultural Extension
The major function of the Agricultural Extension Department is to provide technical knowledge to the farmers for agricultural development. In Awaran, activities of the Agricultural Extension Department are very limited. It provides its services only to big land owners while small land owners are not being served by the Department.
GO/NGO/Private Enterprise, etc. involvement in Agricultural Development
The major support in agriculture is provided by the provincial government and private enterprise.
Coverage Agri. Services
Local Govt.
Prov. Govt.
Fed. Govt.
NGO
Internat. Donor
Private Entr.
Agr. Extension
Input Supply
Marketing
Price setting
Agr. Credit
Irrigation Development
O&M Irrigation
Agri. Mechanization
Agri. Statistics
Agri. Research
Agri. Training/Education
Legend
no involvement
minor involvement
substantial involvement
Conclusion and major Development Issues
Awaran has much potential in the production of dates of fine quality. In this sector research can be done. The major problem in this sector is the lack of co-operation among farmers, land owners, and the Agriculture Department. In the areas where water resources are available, the production is better. It means that the irrigation sector also requires attention of the authorities. Rain water can be stored by construction of dams in the area. All these activities are possible when adequate road links are available. The tribal chiefs do not favour development of the area as this will negatively affect their authority and monopoly.
Women are allied workers in many agricultural activities but their labour is unaccounted for and, hence, unpaid.
Source: Business Recorder
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