Potential and Constraints Loralai
Loralai district is a very potential area specially for horticulture. However, growth has been hindered by a lack of infrastructure, storage facilities, standardization and processing units. If unnecessary waste is controlled it could increase the income of the producers significantly. Post harvest losses could be avoided through the use of modern technology. The projected figure of population for 1995 of the district is 562,387. According to this figure the population density comes at 57 per square kilometer, which is not much, leaving room for growth. The main constraints are the lack of physical and human infrastructure. Low literacy rates and paucity of resources are the reasons for low productivity and low levels of income. These are also hurdles towards 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 virgin but the shortage of surface, as well as underground water is an impediment to greater production in agricultural sector.
The exploitation of underground water not only needs more resources but also mechanization. Another problem in the exploitation of ground water is the balance to be maintained between recharge and discharge of under ground water.
For a sustainable growth of agriculture and horticulture small dams need to be constructed to control flash floods and for recharge of groundwater.
The area of the district has not been properly surveyed for mineral potential. Although coal is being exploited in a semi-mechanised way, for full fledged mechanization more investment will be required. Other minerals need more investment for exploration and an even greater amount is required to exploit the proven reserves.
Although there is potential for setting up industries for fruit processing, the private sector is reluctant and needs more incentives to be attracted towards this sector.
The social indicators, already low at provincial level, are also low for the district. Health, education and water facilities are limited and the meagre funds allocated each year, are not sufficient to bring it at par with other provinces. Under the Social Action Programme (SAP) the allocation has been increased for the social up-lift of the people.
The role of the local bodies has so far been very limited, this needs to be streamlined along proper lines, so that they could generate their own income and make development expenditure according to the needs of the people of the area.
The contribution of the livestock sector to income and employment had been satisfactory although not much has been done to remove the hurdles in this sector. Areas like feeding, health of the animals and marketing are not given much attention. Livestock productivity could be increased by improving the efficiency of nutrition supply, improving the genetic pool, providing sufficient health facilities and improving the marketing system.
Although women are not discriminated against in any way under the constitution, tradition and culture are the main obstacles to an equal social status and participation in daily public life. Segregation and Purdha, illiteracy, and tribalism are the factors responsible for gender based discrimination. Although these factors are already being weakened by evolutionary processes through commercialization, urbanization and improved awareness through more education. Already the role and status of women are in a stage of transition as more awareness is being created through mass media and via education.
The role of women in politics and local bodies is limited because of the male dominance in these institutions. Similarly women are entitled to inherit land and property under Shariat law, but they are deprived of these rights by the male dominant society. The 5% quota reserved for women is not practised in letter and sprit.