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Agriculture

Pakistan Enters New Era of Evidence-Based Agricultural Transformation

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Professor Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, has expressed a strong commitment to transforming Pakistan's agriculture sector on a scientific and data-driven basis, making it climate-resilient and aligned with international standards. The 7th Agricultural Census 2024, titled 'Integrated Digital Country,' compiled by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), marks a significant milestone in the country's agricultural journey, providing the most accurate data on agricultural land, machinery, and livestock. This comprehensive data will enable the government to formulate future policies for the uplift of the sector and the achievement of national economic goals.

Key Takeaways:

  • Pakistan's agriculture sector contributes around 24% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employs 38% of the workforce, making it the backbone of the national economy.
  • The 7th Agricultural Census 2024 has revealed that the size of cultivable land in the country has increased from 42.6 million acres to 52.8 million acres, and the number of farm households has surged from 8.3 million to 11.7 million.
  • The average landholding has decreased from 6.4 acres to 5.1 acres, and the number of livestock has risen from 143 million to 251 million, reflecting a growth rate of 3%.
  • The government aims to promote a culture of cooperative farming based on scientific principles to achieve self-sufficiency in the agriculture sector and ensure national food security.
  • The URAAN Pakistan initiative is working to digitize all sectors of the national economy to ensure greater accuracy, transparency, and efficiency.

Statistics:

  • 24% of Pakistan's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is contributed by the agriculture sector.
  • 38% of the workforce in Pakistan is employed in the agriculture sector.
  • The size of cultivable land in Pakistan has increased from 42.6 million acres to 52.8 million acres.
  • The number of farm households in Pakistan has surged from 8.3 million to 11.7 million.
  • The average landholding in Pakistan has decreased from 6.4 acres to 5.1 acres.
  • The number of livestock in Pakistan has risen from 143 million to 251 million, reflecting a growth rate of 3%.

Sources:

  • Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS)
  • Press release by the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Government of Pakistan
  • URAAN Pakistan initiative

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