The cultivation of crops on land, known as agriculture, plays a crucial role in our lives. In rural areas with fewer
houses, agricultural land is abundant compared to cities. Life without agriculture, including the planting of vegetables, fruits, and dates by farmers, would deprive us of their delicious tastes.
Despite its natural riches, most of the developed land in Balochistan is arable, covering 1,850 square kilometers, which is 0.53 percent of the total land. The cultivated land area is 167 square kilometers, representing only 9.0 percent of the arable land.
Kech district stands out as one such arable district in Balochistan. According to reports from the Bureau of Statistics of the Planning and Development Department of Balochistan, major Rabi crops in the district include muttar pulses, wheat, barley, and various vegetables. Kharif crops encompass jowar, rice, chilies, onions, guar seed, garlic, coriander, melons, and pulses like mash and moth. Dates, a significant agricultural product, are exported to other parts of the country. Agricultural land is predominantly located in Turbat, Tump, Buleda, Pidarak, and Dasht.
Dates, being a major fruit in the district, are cultivated on irrigated land. The area's second major crop is wheat, with an average yield of 2,050 Kg/Ha, slightly below the average wheat yield in Balochistan (2,320 kg/Ha), but sufficient to meet the district's demand. According to local sources, rice was previously a major crop; however, diminishing rainfall and alternative irrigation sources have led to its reduction.
The report emphasizes that 2.2 percent of the district's land is arable, while 95 percent remains uncultivated due to water scarcity and a shortage of agricultural labor. Following the inauguration of the Meerani Dam, Dasht's barren lands are now economically contributing by producing cotton, rice, mustard plants, watermelon, and more.
An expert from the Agriculture Department of Kech suggests that Dasht could become the province's largest agricultural contributor to the economy, given adequate funds to develop its barren land.
I urge to the Agriculture Minister of Balochistan to invest in the district's agricultural land by providing funds for irrigation and dam construction. This initiative would not only harness the potential of Balochistan's vast barren lands but also foster economic growth in the region.
Nasir
Turbat, Kech