Some Basic Considerations on Agricultural Mechanization in West Pakistan

Abstract

West Pakistan is at present experiencing remarkable production increases in agriculture. These appear to be resulting from the rapid adoption of new varieties of seeds, the increased use of fertilizers and massive investments in tubewells — coupled with, during the 1968 rabi (winter) season, favourable weather conditions. Price-incentive policies, particularly agricultural price support, have helped considerably in the quick adoption of these innovations by farmers. A distinctive element of all the innovations so far promoted is that they are com¬plementary to labour. There are virtually no economies of scale associated with their use. New seeds and fertilizers are as productive on small holdings as on large. The private tubewells are sufficiently inexpensive, even the small farmers can afford to invest in them, at least through partnership. Water, seeds and fertilizers are essentially infinitely divisible inputs. They can benefit the small farmers as much as the large.