An Overview of Sindh’s Agriculture Department: Potential, Crisis, and Institutional Failure

✍️ By Abdul Ghafoor Sarohi

Sindh, once a symbol of agricultural prosperity due to its natural resources, fertile lands, and ancient irrigation systems, is now facing a severe agricultural crisis. The expected gains in irrigation, production, marketing, and research have not been achieved. Instead, mismanagement, nepotism, and flawed policies have pushed the system toward collapse.

When analyzing Sindh’s agriculture department, it is not enough to discuss cultivation, water, and crops. One must also critically examine the administrative structure, financial transparency, seriousness in policymaking, and the department’s operational efficiency.

Historical Background and Formation

The roots of Sindh’s agriculture department go back to British colonial rule, when a network of canals and embankments was developed to manage the waters of the Indus River. The construction of Sukkur Barrage in 1932 and its associated network transformed Sindh’s agricultural destiny. After Pakistan’s independence, agriculture was recognized as a pillar of national development. Several institutions, projects, and policies were launched, with Sindh’s agriculture department playing a central role.

 

Organizational Structure and Responsibilities

The department’s responsibilities include irrigation, agricultural research, farmer training, machinery distribution, subsidy policies, increasing productivity, market access, and boosting exports. Key sectors include:

1. On-Farm Water Management (OFWM):
Implementation of modern systems like drip, sprinkler, and micro-irrigation for water efficiency and conservation.

2. Agricultural Engineering:
Provision and maintenance of agricultural machinery, tools, tractor subsidies, and essential irrigation infrastructure.

3. Agricultural Extension Services:
Educating farmers on modern techniques, fertilization, crop management, and disease control.

4. Agricultural Research and Development (R&D):
Development of climate-resilient seeds, scientific disease diagnosis, and crop improvement.

5. Agricultural Marketing and Trade:
Ensuring access to markets, enforcing official prices, and addressing the monopoly of private traders.

 

Projects and Failures

Many well-intended projects under the department have failed due to corruption, poor oversight, and untrained staff. These include:

Rice Integrated Development Program

High-Efficiency Irrigation Systems

Agricultural Machinery Subsidy Scheme

According to the National Federation of Farmers, only 12% of farmers in Sindh are aware of drip irrigation and similar technologies, and merely 6% actually use them.

Major Issues and Challenges

Administrative Mismanagement:
Offices are plagued by political interference, corruption, fake recommendations, and negligence. Frequent transfers and absenteeism have crippled the system.

Resource Shortage and Unfair Distribution:
Unequal distribution of canals and watercourses, dominance of large landlords, and lack of water for small farmers have severely reduced productivity.

Broken Agricultural Marketing System:
Small farmers lack direct access to markets and are forced to sell their produce to exploitative middlemen. Official pricing mechanisms are practically non-existent.

Neglect of Research and Development:
Research institutions lack funding, infrastructure, and scientific capacity. There is little to no system for developing improved seeds or forecasting climate risks.

Climate Change Impact:
From 2018 to 2023, over 20% of Sindh’s agricultural land suffered from droughts, degradation, and floods. The department was unprepared to deal with such crises.

 

Steps Needed for the Future

Restructure and Accountability:
Introduce a transparent system for promotions and evaluations of senior officers, sub-divisional staff, and field teams based on performance.

Increase R&D Budget and Modernization:
Invest directly in research, collaborate with universities, and develop climate-resilient strategies.

Market Regulation and Price Control:
Ensure farmers have direct access to procurement centers, legally dismantle trader monopolies, and restore a functional price control board.

Training and Awareness Campaigns:
Reactivate the extension department. Set up training centers in each district, launch mobile agri-services, and demonstrate modern farming equipment.

 

Sindh’s agriculture department has so far failed to achieve its core objectives—agricultural development, farmer support, and strengthening of the agri-economy. Unless the department embraces accountability, innovation, and serious governance, the crisis will only deepen.

Today, agriculture in Sindh is not just about farming—it is a test of policy, governance, and collective awareness.