Barkhan district has great potential for the agricultural sector, as the area has vast virgin land. Especially the Baghoo area of the district has very fertile soil. The people’s involvement in agriclture is increasing, despite the fact that there is lack of infrastructure, quality seeds, fertiliser, pesticides and storage facilities. If due attention is paid by the government and donors to the development of agriculture sector in the area, this sector can change the fate of the poverty striken district. The average produce per hectare is low, because the majority of the farmers are still uneducated tribesmen who have now knowledge of improved varieties of seed, fertiliser and pesticides. The use of tractors, and threshers is also limited. The supply of electricity for agricultural purposes is also limited: out of the total number of 740 tube-wells only 23 are electric generated. The rest is diesel fuelled.

The district has good potential for horticulture. But growth has been constrained by lack of infrastructure, storage facilities, standardisation and processing units. If post harvest losses could be avoided through use of modern technology, the producers’ income could raise significantly. Although there is potential for setting up industries for fruit processing, the private sector is hesitant to invest and needs more incentives to be attracted towards this sector.

Livestock is the second important economic sector of the district. It is the next important source of income after agriculture. The development of this sector is hindered by lack of forage, health facilities for animals and marketing. The majority of the owners of flocks have to dispose of a large number of sheep, goats, and cows in case of a hard year when sufficient grasses and fodder are not available. Livestock productivity, output and quality is low due to primitive husbandry practices, lack of basic facilities, inadequate animal health care and nutrition. As pointed out by the Arid Zone Research Institute (AZRI), a wide gap exist between potential achievable productivity and the present actual production. Main constraints in the development of the agricultural sector at large are lack of physical and human infrastructure, low literacy rates and lack of financial resources. As a result productivity and levels of income are low.

The same constraints also hamper the use of modern technology. Due to lack of resources, provision of water, power, gas and roads etc.; are not possible at a larger scale. The land is fertile, but the shortage of surface as well as exploited underground water is an impediment towards greater production in the agricultural sector. The exploitation of under ground water not only needs more resources, but also mechanisation. Further exploitation of the groundwater potential is possible but proper recharge has of course to be taken care of. For a long term sustainable growth of agriculture, and specially the horticultural sub-sector, small check dams and delay action dams are needed to be constructed to facilitate recharge. They also can serve for control of flash flood.

The district has not been properly surveyed for mineral potential. Over the last few years, some mining companies tried to work out coal and gypsum, but they were not successful. Due to lack of encouragement by the government they finally abandoned the work. Government will have to come forward if the mining sector is to be explored, as the private sector is hesitant to invest because of the huge amounts needed for exploration and exploitation. The Vitakri area may contain oil, and at present a British oil exploration company is doing surveys.

The district is devoid of any manufacturing unit and organised industries, except some cottage industries. The main cottage industry in the district is the mazari industry. Many articles, like baskets, ropes, and mats and other articles of every day use, are made from the leaves of this plant. These articles are exported to other parts of the country. If due attention is paid to this cottage industry, it can be further commercially developed.

In Barkhan the road condition is not satisfactory. The maintenance of roads is poor, because of lack of funds. Electricity is supplied at limited scale. Natural gas is not available , because the district is located too far away from the main gas pipe-line. It will be too costly to supply gas or other utilities to the district.

The role of the local bodies in the district is negligible. All union councils in the district have no source of income of their own and are wholly depend on government grants. However, these grants are so small that they are even not sufficient to pay the salaries of class IV civil servants. The same is the case with the district council and the town committee. The income generated through different sources by them is mainly used to pay the salaries of the staff. Therefore, no development activities are carried out by these bodies in the district. Efforts are needed to streamline these bodies on proper lines, so that they can generate their own income and make development expenditure according to the needs and aspiration of the people of the area they serve.

Compared to other provinces, Balochistan has the lowest score on social indicators. Health, education and water facilities are limited and the meagre resources allocated each year are not sufficient to bring it at par with other provinces. Although under social action programme (SAP) the allocation has been increased for the social up-lift of the people.

Although women are not discriminated against in any form under the constitution, tradition and culture are the main obstacles for women to gain social status and participate in every walk of life. Segregation and purdha, illiteracy and tribalism are the factors responsible for discrimination of women. Women have no role in politics, because of male domination in political institutions and because of social and cultural constraints. Women are entitled to inherit land and property under Sharia law, but they are deprived of it by the male dominant society. Women’s health and income are major issues that need to be addressed seriously. If changes and development has to take place, development plans will have to take into account the needs and concerns of both men and women.

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