AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AND RURAL POVERTY IN PAKISTAN: IMPACT OF MODERN FARMING TECHNIQUES

Abstract

Agriculture has always provided the heart-beat of the Pakistani economy in that most rural citizenry is employed by the sector and patterns of poverty and development activities as a result of it. This paper focuses on agricultural productivity and the effects of modern farming practices- such as high-quality farming seeds, improved irrigation systems, mechanization, precision farming, and others- on livelihoods of rural populations. It contends that although technological adoption has contributed considerably towards the high yields and minimizing risks of production, the ability to reduce poverty is lopsided since there is rigidity caused by structural limitations like inequality in land, lack of access to credit, as well as poor extension services. This study, applying a literature-based approach determined by secondary evidence found in scholarly books, peer-reviewed articles and institutional reports places a judgement on how modern methods can ameliorate as well as strengthen rural poverty and provides an understanding of policy interventions requisite to more inclusive agriculture in Pakistan.