Agriculture in Azad Kashmir: Broken Machinery, Broken Trust
In the expansive meadows of Bagh, located in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, farmers once relied on tractors and threshers that now sit unused, deteriorating as they fall into neglect. This decline in Agriculture in Azad Kashmir has left essential farming equipment blanketed in dust and vulnerable to severe weather, serving as a reminder of an escalating issue that jeopardizes the livelihoods of many farmers.
The Impact on Farmers
“These machines are essential for our farming,” states Mohammad Asif. A farmer with decades of experience working the land. “Without them, we struggle to use hand tools. It’s disheartening to see this equipment in such a dilapidated condition.” The scenario illustrates a concerning level of neglect within Agriculture in Azad Kashmir. Crucial farming machinery has fallen into disrepair to the extent that it is unusable. These tractors and threshers are intended to assist farmers in managing and harvesting their crops. Instead, they represent how inadequate maintenance has hindered agricultural productivity in the region.
Residents readily emphasize that this problem extends beyond mere equipment breakdowns. It prompts serious concerns regarding the utilization of taxpayer dollars. In an area where farmers significantly bolster government income, many express their discontent over the apparent mismanagement of those resources. “Each year, we pay our taxes expecting them to benefit our community,” states Saira Khan, a shopkeeper in Bagh. “However, when we observe machinery like this lying idle and broken, it’s difficult not to feel that resources are being squandered.”
The state of the machinery illustrates how government resources can be misapplied or overlooked. Since farming is the main source of livelihood in the region, the absence of operational equipment not only negatively impacts farmers but also weakens the agricultural economy of the area.
Economy Crisis Calls for Government Action
Shabbir Ahmad, another farmer, highlights the grave consequences: “These machines helped us transport our crops to market more quickly. Now, we are falling behind, and competition is becoming tougiher. We need to repair these tractors and threshers to survive.”
As the farmers face increasing difficulties, consequently, demands for government intervention are becoming increasingly urgent. Moreover, experts and community leaders are calling on the Azad Kashmir government to assume responsibility and examine the underlying causes of this decline. They argue that the solution is straightforward: adequate maintenance and prompt repairs.
In light of this, Tariq Iqbal, an agricultural expert in the area, emphasizes the urgency of the matter. “This situation cannot persist. Therefore, the government must intervene and restore this equipment, or we risk witnessing the collapse of the agricultural sector,” he states. “The machinery is available; it merely needs maintenance.”
The Need for Transparency in Agriculture in Azad Kashmir
The situation is critical. The AJK government needs to take swift measures to resolve the problem, restoring vital equipment that will aid farmers and safeguard taxpayer investments. It is essential to maintain transparency regarding public spending—particularly when it comes to resources as vital as agricultural machinery.
“If we can’t rely on the government to maintain equipment like this, how can we depend on them to manage other assets?” Asif remarks. “We need a transformation.” Action must be taken immediately before it’s too late. The way forward is clear in a region that depends on agriculture to sustain its economy. The government must repair the machinery, allocate funds wisely, and restore the public’s confidence. For the farmers of Bagh, each day without action means another day of struggle.
