Construction on arable land
PAKISTAN is an agricultural state. Thus agriculture is the mainstay of the country’s economy, besides industry and commerce. However, agriculture gains are of much importance than any other sector.
Importance of this sector is manifold as it feeds people, provides raw material to industry and is a base for foreign trade.
God has blessed the country with good soil, suitable climate and adequate water resources for producing agricultural crops, fruits and vegetables of all kinds. It merits a mention that 75 per cent of arable land is irrigated which is an unmatched blessing. However, it has been observed in the recent past housing schemes have been mushrooming on fertile agricultural lands, with the result that small farmers are abandoning agriculture and are migrating to cities for livelihood.
According to the practice in vogue in developed countries, only barren and useless land is utilised for residential purpose. Besides, skyscrapers resulting in vertical accommodation are adopted instead of horizontal residences. This considerably reduces space, accommodating more people on less area. These measures under proper planning can save precious fertile land from extinction.
In view of the above, there is a strong need for legislation of restricting conversion of precious fertile agricultural land for residential purposes in the country so that agriculture might not receive a further setback on this account. This will also help reduce migration of rural population to urban areas.
KHAN FARAZ
Peshawar
Pakistan is an agricultural state. I remember reading that in my Pakistan studies class 10-15 years ago. It was the case back then but not anymore. We have longed moved from agricultural state to to tertiary state excelling in service sector than producing food.
This is the sad case everywhere, in less developed countries its impact is farmers seeking to move to the cities and eking out a living. In countries like the United States with a large agricultural sector, people are complaining about the urban sprawl. It eats away 50 acres a day in prime agricutural land. Pakistan should inact a law against this practice, it takes a lot of time and money to develop agreiculural land, then to lose it haphazard developments is a travesty.
I have been thinking the same exact thing and complaining as well of the useless societies that are springing out of now where. And for years on end don’t get properly constructed on. Thus we lose out on season crops (supply) that could be been used for economical gains in agro industry.