Farming hampers economy in Pakistan

11 June 1999

Farming hampers economy in Pakistan

PAKISTANS economic performance has been held back by a poor performance by its agricultural sector, according to an official survey.

Farm output grew just 0.4%, against a target of 5.4% mainly due to a poor cotton crop and wheat production was also down.

Agricultural production accounts for just over a quarter of Pakistans annual gross domestic product.

More than 60% of the countrys 138m population lives in rural areas and relies at least in part on agriculture for its income.