Pakistan Unveils Results of First Digital Agricultural Census
Pakistan has released the results of its first-ever fully digital Agricultural Census, marking a groundbreaking milestone for the country’s farming sector. The new data promises to strengthen agricultural policy, enhance farmer welfare, and modernize the farming system, signaling a major step towards sustainable growth and innovation in agriculture.
The digital census reveals a historic expansion in cultivated land, which has increased from 42.6 million acres to 52.8 million acres. The number of farming households has also risen significantly, from 8.3 million to 11.7 million. The country’s total livestock count now stands at 251 million. Notably, the average farm size has declined from 6.6 acres to 5.1 acres, underlining the growing importance of smallholder farmers in Pakistan’s agricultural landscape.
Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, highlighted the significance of the census during its launch, describing it as a milestone in Pakistan’s agricultural history. He emphasized that the initiative aligns with the Prime Minister’s Vision for a digitally empowered nation, aiming to transform Pakistan into a trillion-dollar economy by 2035.
The digital approach enabled efficient data collection across the country, including remote and mountainous regions. Thousands of trained personnel used digital tools to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the census data.
As part of the initiative, a new “Data Portal for Large Agricultural Holdings” has been introduced. This platform will provide timely and comprehensive data from major agricultural stakeholders, helping policymakers make informed and actionable decisions for the sector’s advancement.
The project was spearheaded by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics in collaboration with provincial and district governments, universities, and international partners such as the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization. The effort underscores a commitment to inclusive, farmer-focused, and modern agriculture in Pakistan.
This census is not only a technological achievement but also represents a pledge to make every farm more productive, every farmer more prosperous, and to elevate Pakistan’s agriculture to global standards.
