Institution:
Ministry
of Agriculture, Lands, Livestock Development, Irrigation & Fisheries
History and Background in very specific
The present Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock Development, Land,
Irrigation & Fisheries carries out the functions and responsibilities
defined under the 13th Amendment to the constitution. The Minor
irrigation is a devolved subject and it is also under taken by the Ministry, in
addition to Major and Medium Irrigation works by the Provincial Irrigation
Department.
The policy adopted by the Ministry in respect of the Agriculture
Development, Livestock Development, Land Administration, Co-operative
Development and Agrarian Services, Irrigation and Fisheries Development falls
within the framework of the National Policy and the subject and functions are
assigned under list I & III of the 9th schedule under the 13th
amendment to the constitution.
The Ministry is responsible for the overall Provincial Agricultural
Policy as laid out in the Agriculture Development Strategy. The Provincial
Policy proposes a shift from subsistence Agriculture to a commercially/ market
oriented agriculture leading to production of high value items and
establishment of an agro industrial base in the
The Ministry Coordinates planning, implementation and monitoring of
development programmes under the sub sectors with the objectives of achieving
agricultural growth in the EP. The Ministry’s task is to ensure that necessary
services are provided through the Departments of Agriculture, Animal Production
& Health, Land Administration, Irrigation, Agrarian Services, Co-operatives
and Fisheries.
It is time to point that the real causes for not cultivating
considerable extents of paddy land and high lands have to be found out before
any steps are taken to take over such uncultivated and idle land for
distribution since the new allottees should not face the same problems as faced
by original owners/allottees. It is found that in the recent years the farmers
have been giving up cultivations as they found it not profitable and there has
sharp decrease in the percentage of farmers, which pointed to a downward trend.
Some of the main reason may be:
1.
Increased cost of cultivation
2.
Damage to crops by animals
3.
Drought
4.
Non payment of Loans and non
availability of easy Credit facilities
5.
Absence of guaranteed prices for
other crops such as Onions and Tomatoes.
6.
Lack of institutional support and
effective and efficient Coordinator and exit values in the laws.
7.
Reluctance and avoidance and
escapism of the low enforcement agencies.
Hence this
unfavorable trend has got to be arrested by providing necessary inducement and
taking other measures that will create an atmosphere, which will be conducive
to motivate the farming population to continue with their Paddy and other Food
Crops Cultivation. This is very essential to prevent any crisis as Food
Security is so vital for the people. The farmers are to be ensured of a
substantial income to sustain them.
The country is endowed with vast natural resources. The promotion and
development of Dairy and Fishing is very important. These two sources may not
become supplementary or complementary to Agriculture but they are most likely
to become the main source of income to the people in the future.
Livestock and Fisheries sub-sectors are to be developed along with
Agriculture so as to provide balanced diet to maintain a healthy nation and
save foreign exchange on imports, and use such saving on industrial
development.
All these need consistent policies at National level.
1.
Co-coordinating
and facilitating in the Implementation of the Development Policies and
Programmes pertaining to the sectors under the Ministry.
2. Major Thrust
areas for Development
Institutional Development and capacity
building.
Rehabilitation
of Minor Tanks
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