PBS releases agricultural census after 14 years

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) has released the 7th Agricultural Census 2024, marking the first comprehensive update in 14 years.

The data reveals a significant increase in agricultural households, livestock population, and cultivated land across the country. According to the PBS report, the number of agricultural households has risen to 11.7 million as of fiscal year 2024. This projects changing rural dynamics and increased engagement in agricultural activities, despite climate pressures and economic fluctuations.

LIVESTOCK POPULATION REACHES 251.3M

The total livestock population in Pakistan has now reached 251.3 million, showing an 18.3 percent annual growth rate. The census provides a detailed breakdown:

Goats: 95.8 million
Cows: 55.8 million
Buffaloes: 47.7 million
Sheep: 44.5 million
Camels: 1.5 million
Donkeys: 4.8 million

PROVINCIAL BREAKDOWN

CULTIVATED LAND AND IRRIGATION

The total cultivated land area in the country has reached 52.8 million acres. Of this, 79 per cent is irrigated through canals and tube wells, indicating a high dependency on artificial irrigation systems.

STATISTICAL MILESTONE

The PBS has termed the 2024 agricultural census a “milestone in Pakistan’s statistical history,” providing updated data essential for planning, policy-making, and resource allocation in the agriculture sector.

The report offers key insights into how the agricultural landscape in Pakistan has evolved over more than a decade, with significant growth in both livestock and land use.

Also read: Climate change batters agriculture