Oxfam’s ‘Dharti’ campaign launched for Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa

Speakers call for greater government involvement.

ISLAMABAD: While speaking at the launch of Oxfam’s ‘Dharti’ campaign for Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, political dignitaries and members of social welfare organisations have called on the government of Pakistan to ensure immediate investments in small farms and the development of pro-poor agricultural policies.

At the launch, which was attended by more than 400 farmers, it was said that more than 60% of the population in Pakistan is dependent on agriculture; yet small farmers continue to be one of the most vulnerable groups. It was noted that the creation of farmers’ associations is crucial for ensuring fair prices for farmers’ produce, protection of their rights, representation at district and provincial levels and capacity building.

“Small farmers will continue to struggle with poverty unless immediate and concrete steps are taken to empower them. Oxfam’s Dharti campaign aims to protect small farmers in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa by advocating for their rights, suggesting improvements in government policy making and imparting skills to improve crop production and farming techniques. It also aims to facilitate marginal growers in attaining productive, sustainable and shock-resilient farming”, said Oxfam Economic Justice Manager for Pakistan Mehnaz Ajmal.

“Without effective pro-poor agricultural mechanisms and systems, small farmers will continue to suffer exploitation in the form of high agri-input costs including ever rising seed prices, fertiliser and machinery costs. We need effective policies today to ensure a better tomorrow for them”, said Anwar Khan, Food Director Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

Campaigners appreciated past government initiatives for the development of small farmers. However, it was said that much more needed to be done, and steps were needed to effectively link small farmers with such programmes to ensure maximum benefits for them.

Under the Dharti drive, a 12-point charter of demands drafted earlier by farmers was presented at the event. It called for free distribution of government land among landless peasants, residential land ownership rights for the poor, district-based peasant courts, farmer-friendly amendments to tenancy acts and an end to the exploitative middlemen system.

“There is a need to recognise women farmers’ rights and develop of agriculture policy to provide increased facilities to female farmers, such as agricultural training. The focus also needs to be shifted on improving farmers’ access to land, irrigation water, farm machinery, seeds and new agricultural research for improving crop production and to grow better, share better and live better. Only when this is done will farmers be able to truly benefit from their land”, said Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Agricultural Department Additional Secretary Rizwan.

Farmers present at the event expressed their difficulties including cumbersome credit application processes and the lack of provision of extension services by the government, including good quality seeds, fair fertiliser prices and others.

The launch was part of a series of events being held by Oxfam under the Dharti campaign, across Pakistan to promote and protect farmers. This campaign was launched in 40 countries in June 2011, is now progressing in 100 countries.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 30^th, 2012.