Nationwide agriculture census to begin in August

Data will be collected for the country’s Seventh Agriculture Census from August to October this year.

Participants of a meeting presided over by Deputy Commissioner Zaheer Anwar Jappa to review the preparatory steps taken regarding the census were informed that the exercise would help accurately estimate the agricultural sector's contribution to the country's GDP.

The official said the census would enable accurate planning for food needs in the country and the relevant officers should work actively in the field for the purpose.

The meeting was attended by assistant commissioners, and officials from the statistics, agriculture, livestock, education, population welfare, Cholistan Development Authority and other departments.

Statistics Officer Shafqat Abbas informed the participants that data for the census would be collected from August to October. He stated that the Seventh Agriculture Census would adopt a comprehensive digital counting approach for the first time in the country.

He added that the census would begin by counting large agricultural households, followed by coverage of all areas in subsequent stages during September and October. He mentioned that tablets, laptops, internet devices and various applications would be used in the census.

Training of field staff for conducting the census would commence in July.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 4^th, 2024.