Farmers are under pressure to make the most of their land and inputs, which are becoming more expensive as a result of population growth and as land holdings are rapidly declining.
Pakistan’s agricultural sector has lagged behind that of other nations as a result of the sparse use of high-yielding seeds, inadequate fertilizations, inadequate water supply, ineffective extension services, and restricted access to agricultural credit. The lack of knowledge, instruction, and effectiveness of agricultural workers, however, is the most critical factor.
It is obvious that Pakistan’s agriculture sector needs farm workers with the knowledge and abilities to carry out farming operations in accordance with the most recent technological requirements and cutting-edge agricultural practices in light of these technological and environmental changes.
But at the moment, Pakistan’s technical and vocational education and training sector is not prepared to offer such training programs.
The agriculture sector in Pakistan has changed significantly in the last two decades due to the use of hybrid and genetically modified seeds, such as Bt cotton. These high-yielding seeds require a new set of agricultural inputs and skills, making farming with these seeds no longer as simple as it was with traditional open-pollinated seeds. Unfortunately, there has been no concerted effort to train farm workers in line with these changes.
“ICT can empower farmers, especially those who are under-resourced and have limited assets and purchasing power, to the extent that these information and communication technologies: allow them to gain access to and control over more and better resources on favorable terms, with which they can contribute to their own or others’ production processes,” according to Norman Uphoff From Cornell University.
With the use of technology, the industry becomes more capital-intensive and requires skilled labor. Farmers are under pressure to make the most of their land and inputs, which are becoming more expensive as a result of population growth and as land holdings are rapidly declining.
As a result, new farming techniques and technologies for resource conservation, like pneumatic drills, precision sprayers, and high-efficiency irrigation systems, are becoming more popular in the industry, but they all call for more advanced levels of expertise.
The widespread adoption of short-duration crop varieties has increased the maximum allowable crop intensity from two to three crops per year in some areas.
This requires a higher level of mechanization and trained workers to complete operations in the short time span between crops. Farm mechanization is increasing in Pakistan with the use of general-purpose and crop-specific self-propelled and tractor-driven agricultural machinery and implements.
Increasing per capita income has led to a shift in dietary patterns, with a focus on diversified, nutritious food. Countries are enforcing stringent international food safety regulations and traceability regimes, and many Pakistani farms have achieved certification of Global Good Agricultural Practices (Global GAP).
However, traditional agricultural workers may struggle to comply with certification requirements and adhere to quality standards and food safety guidelines.