Balochistan launches agri census drive

CM hopes GIS tech will shape province's farming future

QUETTA:

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti inaugurated the seventh Agricultural Census, titled the 'Integrated Digital Count,' on Wednesday. The census incorporates Geographic Information System (GIS) technology for the province.

He said that the Census would play a pivotal role in Balochistan's contribution to the national economy. Bugti emphasized that the agricultural census is an important process and preparing reliable statistics is essential.

The chief minister mentioned that agriculture and livestock sectors are the backbone of the country's and the province's economy.

He directed government departments to collaborate with the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics for collecting accurate and multi-dimensional data.

The chief minister directed that the data compiled during the Census should be shared with the provincial government.

Bugti added that the compiled data will also be verified by the provincial government departments at the local level.

The census, supported by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), involves 1,004 trained enumerators who will collect comprehensive agricultural data across Balochistan.

Results are expected to be finalized by August 2025. Emphasizing the province's agricultural potential, the chief minister noted that Balochistan encompasses 7.12 million acres of arable land, with key crops such as wheat, rice, and cotton playing a significant role in national production.

The chief minister expressed that he does not want any unreliable data to be included in the agriculture census, emphasizing that the Balochistan government and the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics will promote mutual cooperation for data-based agricultural policies.

He highlighted that the Census is a significant step towards ensuring agricultural development and food security in the country.

The ceremony was attended by Provincial Minister for Agriculture Mir Ali Hassan Zehri, provincial ministers, advisors, members of the assembly, Chief Secretary of Balochistan Shakeel Qadir Khan, and senior officials from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.