This background paper examines and synthesizes existing literature on agricultural inputs in Punjab and Sindh provinces of Pakistan with a specific focus on dairy, citrus and mango subsectors. More specifically it aims to identify the... more
This background paper examines and synthesizes existing literature on agricultural inputs in Punjab and Sindh provinces of Pakistan with a specific focus on dairy, citrus and mango subsectors. More specifically it aims to identify the ways to improve the productivity of these subsectors with a special focus on the identification of key issues regarding inputs and output marketing. The paper is written within the framework of Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) funded research project entitled “Enabling agricultural policies for benefitting smallholders in dairy, citrus and mango industries of Pakistan” which is being undertaken by a team of the researchers from Victoria University, Australia in collaboration with different institutes of Pakistan. The aim of this project is to review prevailing policies and develop options, evaluate and define implementation pathways for new enabling policies to improve the livelihoods of smallholders in the dairy, citrus and mango sub-sectors of Punjab and Sindh provinces. The paper discusses key issue relating dairy, citrus and mango sub-sectors in sections as follows: 1. Introduction 2. Small land holdings in connection to low productivity 3. Water related issues in general and in particular to dairy, citrus and mango sub-sectors; 4. Nutrient availability 5. Animal and plant protection 6. Availability of agricultural credit 7. Artificial Insemination 8. Insufficient extension services
