Daily Times

Sir: Agriculture is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy and its share in the GDP is around 22 percent; 70 percent people are directly as well as indirectly involved in agriculture. Women are about 52 percent of the total population of Pakistan; more than 65 percent of the population lives in the rural areas and is linked directly or indirectly with agriculture and its related fields. Rural women make an essential contribution to agricultural and rural economies in all developing countries. These women perform numerous labour intensive jobs such as weeding, hoeing, grass cutting, picking, cotton stick collection and separation of seed from fiber. Collection of wood and fetching water in remote areas is also among the duties of women. Poultry farming is one of the major sources of the rural economy. The rate of women in poultry farming at household level is central in the poultry industry. Even though rural women are not using modern management techniques, such as vaccination and improved feed, their poultry enterprise is impressive. Income from poultry farming is increasing yearly. Unfortunately, the agricultural sector in many developing countries is not performing up to the mark because rural women who represent a crucial resource in agriculture and the rural economy through their roles as farmers and labourers face severe constraints compared to men in access to productive resources.

It is my request to the federal and provincial governments to allocate a certain portion of the upcoming budget to the welfare and development of women working in the agriculture sector. Unless their working conditions improve, no good would happen to a very important part of the economy of our country.

YASEEN AYAZ SHAHANI

Dera Ghazi Khan