Date of Award
1985
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Geography, Geology, and Anthropology
Abstract
This study examined the agricultural development of the Quetta-Pishin Valleys and analyzed the spatial differences in their agricultural development. The diversity of relief and the semi-arid climate and limited supply of water are the main hindrances to agricultural development. This study investigated the hypothesis that levels of agricultural development are not the same in these two Valleys. The availability of perennial water supply for irrigation has promoted the intensive cultivation of high-value crops in the Quetta Valley and in the favorable locations of the Pishin Valley but there remains a need to introduce new varieties of horticultural and food crops. The analysis revealed that there are some trends of modernization (services and fertilizer) in agricultural development in the area. Because of high production costs, water development is restricted and limited. However, in areas where modern agricultural services have been introduced, villages have better economic returns compared to the areas which carry out traditional agricultural activities. The higher level of agricultural development in the Quetta Valley is associated with intensive cultivation. The importance of fertilizer and irrigation is obvious and their use indicate diffusion of agricultural modernization, including the spread of the high-yielding variety seeds, and resulting commercialization of agricultural productivity. In the Pishin area, the agricultural development is largely based on the sources of natural moisture supply. Agriculture is still primitive and confined to the production of low-value crops. Since water is scarce and precious, it is used on best land where it can bring maximum returns. It is suggested that high-value crops should have priority for irrigation water, as they are in demand nationally. Furthermore, an annual evaluation of productivity is needed to assess the development processes.
Recommended Citation
Babar, Razia, "A Comparative Statistical Analysis Of Agricultural Development Of The Quetta And Pishin Areas, Baluchistan, Pakistan" (1985). All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1810.
https://scholars.indianastate.edu/etds/1810