Occupying lands for corporate farming and construction of new canals will ultimately result in massive unemployment and migration

Sher Muhammad Khan

Sindh has historically been an agriculturally self-sufficient region. Its culture, economy, and society is based on agriculture. But in recent years, such a policy has been i

mposed in the country under which corporate farming is being supported by allocating agricultural lands to the companies, allegedly backed by military establishment.

Policy Background

In 2022, the government of Pakistan announced the handing over of land to the army for corporate farming, under which thousands of acres of land were given to military establishments, especially in the desert and less populated areas of Sindh. These policies were supported by the government, the establishment, and the business community on the pretext that it would make the country agriculturally self-sufficient.

The lands were declared “uninhabited” and handed over, reportedly, to military institutions. Agreements were signed with modern international companies. These lands were originally traditionally owned by local farmers, who had no legal protection.

Problems faced by the common farmer

In many areas of Sindh, such as Khairpur, Sanghar, Umarkot, and Badin, farmers were evicted from their cultivated land for years. Despite having no title deeds, these lands were their only source of employment.

Wage oppression and unemployment

Military farms are run with machines, which require less human labor. Local workers got temporary jobs, which had no guarantee. Wages were generally low, and social security was lacking.

In corporate agriculture, crops are grown that are available in international markets (such as canola, sorghum, and sunflower). However, the tendency of local farmers to grow important crops for food (such as wheat, vegetables, lentils) decreased, which increased the risk of food shortages.

Construction of New Canals from Indus River

The federal and Punjab governments are adamant to construct new canals to draw water from Indus River. These canals are primarily designed to supply water to the agriculture lands of military establishments.

Environmental degradation

The construction of new canals will affect the natural flow of Indus River, and its main victim will be Sindh. The Indus River already faces acute water shortage which currently has exceeded 50 percent of the due share of province. The salinity in the soil increased due to the shortage of water. Moreover, as the river water did not reach the sea, the sea water intrusion has left thousands of acres of land barren in the areas of Thatta, Badin, and Sujawal, the coastal districts of Sindh. These districts are already affected by Left Bank Outfall Drain (LBOD) project.

People’s Struggle and Resistance

The farmers and common man of Sindh raised their voices against this injustice. In several areas of the province, protest demonstrations, rallies and long marches were held and sit-ins staged. Political workers, lawyers, students, farmers’ organizations and civil society became active but their voice was suppressed by the establishment.

Social, economic, and cultural impacts

Occupying lands for corporate farming and construction of new canals will ultimately result in massive unemployment and migration. After losing their livelihood in rural areas, the people will be compelled to migrate to urban areas to work as daily wagers. The young generation will lose interest in agriculture because they have seen how their forefathers’ labor are being taken over by someone else.

It is also an assault on cultural identity, as the civilization of Sindh, which was centered on agriculture, water, and river, is now being destroyed by corporate and political interests.

Suggestions and solutions

Local farmers should be recognized as the legal owners of the land; equitable distribution of water should be ensured; farmers should be represented in the water authority; the 1991 water accord should be strictly followed; a ban should be imposed on corporate agriculture and land grabbing in the name of corporate agriculture should be stopped. Agriculture should be run under the principles of social and natural justice.

For environmental protection, the natural flow of the river should be restored. Local opinion and environmental reports should be made compulsory before construction of new canals.

The development will be development in true sense when it includes local people, their rights, and ecological balance. Otherwise, it will be beneficial only to the powerful institutions, and will cause destruction of society.