Agriculture is still the leading occupation in South Asia. In terms of Gross Domestic Product, it accounts for about three-fifth
in Bangladesh and Nepal, two-fifth in India and one third in Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
South Asia constitutes about 3.3 percent of the world''s land surface. The yields per hectare for major crops are very low compared world average yields.
This region has a tropical monsoon type climate. Insufficient and untimely rains, which are very common in this region, usually cause draught and flood. It has been realized that the consequent uncertainties about crops have apparently contributed to the
fatalistic attitude of this region. This region''s rural poor are persistently utilizing the available land for cultivation. They depend on wasteland for their food, firewood and fodder needs. The existing age-old practices of land use patterns are not able to fulfill even the basic needs of the rural poor.
The amount of per capita cultivated land has declined in most South Asian countries. In these countries, yields of major crops are relatively low. Agricultural production has increased in some cases because the expanded areas were large enough to offset the decline in yield. There are shortfalls in yearly productions of assorted grains and crops in most of these countries. This shows that if farmers are to get maximum benefits, they need to engage in agricultural activities that are compatible with the soil, weather and climate conditions of farmland.
This is for this purpose that the governments of respective countries have established
agriculture research centers and farms in various parts of these countries to develop high yielding grains, crops and fruits and also technologies to augment their respective yields. However, these centers and farms have yet to popularize their products and technologies by taking them to the doorsteps of more farmers.
To bring about agriculture development in South Asian countries is difficult and complicated because of their geographical, cultural, ecological, social and economic diversity. Actually, it demands extensive knowledge, experience and wisdom of natural resource base in addition to comprehensive knowledge and skill in science and technology.
About two-thirds of the populations in this region rely on agriculture for earning their livelihood. However, adequate thought has not been given to conserve activities such as soil conservation, a forestation, rainwater harvesting and the construction of drainage and field channels. Such activities will help to increase agricultural production by improving the land resource base and the ecosystem in rural areas. These are best undertaken in the framework of watershed development in which mini or micro watersheds can serve as regional units for development, using technologies that are specific, cost-effective, ecologically sound and locally acceptable. This approach will ensure sustainable agricultural production and restoration of the ecological balance through employment-oriented production systems such as multiple cropping, agro-forestry and horticulture.
Considering the size of this region and the diversities of production, to think of a common agricultural policy and a common market would not only be over-ambitious but also impracticable. However, an appropriate approach would be to have some convergence in agricultural production plans after some discussion among agriculture specialists. In these plans, emphasis should be placed on optimizing agricultural production, investing more on agriculture.