Balochistan, the largest and least developed province of Pakistan, has a vast potential for agricultural development, as it possesses diverse agro-ecological zones, rich natural resources, and a strategic location for regional trade. However, the province faces many challenges that hinder its agricultural productivity and competitiveness, such as low and erratic rainfall, water scarcity, soil degradation, climate change, lack of quality inputs, weak market linkages, and insufficient public investment. To address these challenges and enhance the agricultural performance and livelihoods of the farmers, Balochistan needs to ameliorate its agricultural research system and foster innovation and technology adoption.
Agricultural research is vital for generating and disseminating new knowledge, technologies, and practices that can improve the efficiency, profitability, and sustainability of agriculture. Agricultural research can also contribute to the diversification and value addition of agricultural products, the enhancement of food security and nutrition, and the mitigation and adaptation to climate change. However, the agricultural research system in Balochistan is weak and underfunded, and faces several constraints, such as:
Lack of coordination and collaboration among the various actors involved in agricultural research, such as the provincial and federal research institutes, universities, extension services, private sector, civil society, and farmers’ organizations.
Paucity of human and physical resources, such as qualified and motivated researchers, modern laboratories and equipment, and adequate research farms and facilities.
Dearth of relevance and quality of the research agenda, which is often driven by donor priorities and political interests, rather than by the needs and demands of the farmers and the market.
Scarcity of effective mechanisms for the dissemination and adoption of research outputs, such as extension services, demonstration plots, farmer field schools, and innovation platforms.
To ameliorate the agricultural research system in Balochistan, the following actions are recommended: Strengthen the institutional and policy framework for agricultural research, by establishing a provincial agricultural research council, developing a provincial agricultural research strategy and action plan, and enhancing the coordination and alignment of the provincial and federal research policies and programs. Increase the public and private investment in agricultural research, by allocating more funds from the provincial and federal budgets, mobilizing external resources from donors and development partners, and encouraging the participation and contribution of the private sector and the farmers.
Enhance the capacity and motivation of the agricultural researchers, by providing them with competitive salaries and incentives, improving their working conditions and facilities, and offering them opportunities for training and professional development. Improve the relevance and quality of the agricultural research agenda, by conducting participatory and demand-driven research, focusing on the priority crops and issues of the province, and applying rigorous and innovative research methods and tools. Promote the dissemination and adoption of research outputs, by strengthening the linkages and communication between the researchers and the extension workers, farmers, and other stakeholders, and by facilitating the access and use of the research results and technologies.
