Agri-preneurship opportunities for rural youth in Pakistan
Pakistan is an agricultural country and agriculture is a vital role in Pakistani economy, 65% people live in rural areas and directly or indirectly relating to profession of agriculture. Agriculture of Pakistan contributes 21% of total GDP in the economy.
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Pakistan have good natural resources for agriculture like well fertile land, natural flow of water from north to south, include dams, barrages, head-works, canals, and distribution channels, four seasons, hard worker peoples, include agro based industries like poultry, fisheries, dairy and livestock. Our agriculture fields cover with crops round the year. Agriculture-related people are slowly realizing that they cannot afford to see the government for everything. Self-reliance is the key. In addition, with the changing WTO rounds of light in the changing global agricultural scene, relying on traditional forms of farming and traditional crops will not be enough.
The Agri-preneurship is acknowledged as one of the catalysts of economic development by utilizing of farms and agricultural resources to create rural enterprises that could bring prosperity in the form of increase in household incomes. It could create opportunities for value addition to farming and as allied business that enable farmers and rural communities to harness the optimal benefits of the multifunctional nature of agriculture and natural resources in rural areas. Following this concept, some developed and developing countries established an Agri-preneurship in their countries, particularly, in Asia including Japan, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Entrepreneurship or agricultural development in the agriculture sector is the order today. There are tremendous opportunities for promotion of agricultural development in agriculture and allied sectors. There is a high potential for agricultural development in allied sectors like crop culture, dairy farming, bee boats, mushroom farming, fishing, etc. Horticulture, which includes oleric lure, pomology and flower culture, provides plenty of room for business ventures.
In addition, farmers should also identify cottage-related industries such as tomato sauce and squash making unit, fruit jam making unit, salt oil making unit, garlic unit, etc. This will lead to regional development as well as individual development. Such business plans can greatly increase farmers’ disposable income and make them more financially independent.
Furthermore, by introducing Agri-preneurship concepts, rural farmers will be motivated to improve the standards and enhance the production of their farms, thus reducing the risks they face in terms of quality, food safety and low yields.
To realize the potential of Agri-preneurship, there is a need to create greater awareness among agriculture, tourism and rural development planners, and farmer-entrepreneurs who can take the lead in disseminating knowledge and best practices in the development, promotion, and marketing of farms as agri enterprises. Explore agri-preneurship potential towards economy development through enhancing production and value addition.
The following are potential agripreneurship individuals;
1. Unemployed Agricultural Graduate
2. Self-help groups
3. Progressive farmers
4. Retired persons settled in their native regions
5. Women & Farmers cooperatives
There are a large number of agricultural development sectors. Some potential areas where agricultural projects can be worked out are:
Dairy, Poultry, Fisheries, Direct & Retail Marketing, Farm Machinery, Floriculture, Agriculture Eco-tourism, and Animal feed unit, Production and marketing of bio fertilizers, Clearing and forwarding agency, Contract farming, Crop Protection Center, Cultivation of medicinal plants, Cyber Extension, Herbal Processing Unit, Honey business, Plant Clinic, Insurance, Mushroom cultivation, Landscape and, Nursery, Agricultural Business Centers, Food Processing, Herbal Mineral Water, Micro irrigation system.
Some Other Agri-Entrepreneurial (Agripreneurial) Areas:
- Soil testing laboratory
- Tissue culture unit
- Vegetable production and marketing
- Veterinary clinics
- Pesticides production and marketing
- Post-harvest management
- Research and development
- Seed processing and agribusiness
The efforts of the Federal government and its affiliated agencies will have a collaborative effect when it is cooperated:
1. Provisional Governments
2. Market
3. Farmer Associations
4. Private companies
Although 16 major agricultural colleges and universities, agriculture Research and Development (R&D) organizations and Ministries at provincial and federal levels are available for agriculture research but no organization working on Agri-preneurship in Pakistan.
The agricultural sector has promised a bright future for the development and empowerment of the people at the grassroots level. However, in order to promote business, marketing and export in the rural population. Different schemes will be very important to achieve. This will be possible only through joint efforts that can truly revolution.
