The unveiling of Sindh’s first-ever policy on agriculture and youth on April 16 is indeed a watershed moment in the history of the province. The euphoria over its approval evaporates quickly when one considers how long it took to create a policy document on the two sectors. It is a lame excuse to attribute the extraordinary delay in its announcement to lethargy of the bureaucracy alone, because a whole of gamut of reasons are responsible for the protracted absence of policy initiatives — not all of them caused by the Sindh administration. It is easier, however, to examine the devastating impact of not having either an agriculture or youth policy: in the case of agriculture in particular it has led to the prospect of outright food insecurity caused in turn by low crop yield and a steady decline in the socio-economic condition of people.
The two policy papers will only succeed if all issues of youth and the agriculture sector are addressed and the authorities make sufficiently rational, progressive, scientific and humanitarian policy recommendations. They must also create the legal basis for development of agriculture and youth as well as ensure the empowerment of peasants and young people. Though the policy would be implemented through legal, regulatory, institutional and budgetary changes over roughly a two-year period, it would remain in place till 2030, signalling a preference for sustainability.
The success of the youth policy hinges upon building a politically engaged youth segment that is economically sound and socially progressive as well as endowed with appropriate skills and tolerant values. The creation of a youth development commission and a job bank and data base is important but it is the empowerment objectives which are likely to have a far greater impact. The proposed reactivation of student unions will also encourage healthy political engagement. We watch with interest.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 18th, 2018.
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