Agriculture and crops of Pakistan.

Agriculture and crops of Pakistan.
Food is the basic human need.It is fulfilled  by agriculture as are clothing,housing and many other requirements.Increasing human population at global level demands increase  in agriculture production.Pakistan is an agriculture country.About 60% of its population depends directly or indirectly on agriculture.God almighty has blessed Pakistan with large areas of fertile agriculture land.We also have an extensive and world's one of the best canal irrigation system.Pakistan has attained self-sufficiency in cereal foods (Wheat , Rice) and fruits.This has become possible because of favourable climate, application of chemical fertilizers,insecticides,mechanized farming, and efforts of our hard working farmers.Certain cash crops,such as cotton,rice and fruits, are also being produced in substantial quantities.These cash crops are a big source of earning foreign exchange.In spite of these successes, there is still need for growing and increasing the production of some crops for example pulses and crops yielding edible oils.
Mechanized Farming and production Trends.
Till recently,farming  in Pakistan was labour-intensive,depending mainly upon muscle power.However,since last few decades production trends have emerged in agriculture.This means that now the crops  are not grown only for substantive living but also for the purpose of export sale and earning money.Mechanized farming is getting popular in order to obtain more crop yield.Irrigation by tube wells,ploughing and tilling of land by tractors,and the use of harvester and threshers are common practice these days.Many disease-resistant varieties have been produced through research in agriculture.Use of chemical fertilizers and insecticides is also increasing and become popular among the farmers.All these trends have resulted in increased crop production leading to betterment in the economic and social life of our people.
On the other hand, some environmental problems have also surfaced as a consequence of these development.Canals and distributors are often not lined with bricks and so water seeps down from them.This result is rising  water table.Consequently the irrigated areas are becoming victim to the twin menace of water-logging and salinity.As a result of of this problem large area of fertile land has been rendered unfit for agriculture.Insecticides and fertilizer application is adding to environmental pollution.The number of insects that have become resistant to insecticides and pesticides has increased.Cultivation of the same crop year after has  led to decreased soil fertility.Sustainable agriculture,which incorporates rotation of crops, conservation of soil land,and minimum use of fertilizer is the need of the day.