The 7th Agricultural Census 2024, aimed at an integrated digital enumeration of farming activities in the country, was officially launched in Karachi on Wednesday.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by important personalities including Minister of Livestock and Fisheries of Sindh Muhammad Ali Malkani and Minister of Planning and Development Syed Nasir Hussain Shah and Chief Statistician of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) Dr. Naeem Al Zafar.
In his keynote address, Dr. Zafar emphasized on the transformative aspect of census. “This is not just a data collection exercise. It is the basis for evidence-based decision-making that will lead our agricultural sector towards sustainable development.” He added that the country is adopting an integrated and fully digital approach for the first time, including agricultural, livestock, and machinery censuses. In a single and comprehensive operation.
Highlighting the objectives of the census, the Chief Statistician said that the 7th Agricultural Census will provide important insights into Pakistan’s agricultural structure, cropping patterns, livestock population and mechanization trends. “Using modern tools such as tablet-based data collection, GIS dashboards, and real-time monitoring ensures accuracy, reliability and timeliness,” he said.
He asserted that the move is in line with international best practices and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) guidelines.
He detailed the preparations for the census, which included extensive training of 1,695 enumerators and supervisors at 30 locations in Sindh to ensure quality data collection. He also highlighted the important role of Sindh in Pakistan’s agricultural economy, its 8.2 million acres of cultivated land and major contribution to crops like cotton, rice, sugarcane and wheat.
The Sindh Minister for Livestock and Fisheries echoed these sentiments in his address. “This census is a historic step towards modernizing our agricultural practices and addressing the challenges of food security, climate resilience and rural development. Sindh’s agriculture sector is the backbone of its economy which accounts for 37 percent of our population. The insights gained from this census will empower policy makers to take informed decisions and drive sustainable development,” said Malkani in making this initiative a reality. Educational institutions and related stacks Also appreciated the collaborative efforts among the holders.
“The data we collect will have far-reaching implications, shaping policies that develop farmers, increase productivity and strengthen food security,” he said. The Planning and Development Minister reiterated Sindh’s commitment to support innovative initiatives such as the Integrated Digital Count. “Our government strongly believes in using technology to address the challenges facing our agriculture sector. This census is an important step towards achieving this vision,” he said.