- The field operation will be conducted in September-October 2024
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: After the successful completion of 7th Population & Housing Census (1st Ever Digital Census), the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) has planned to conduct the 7th Agricultural Census throughout the Country as integrated digital count of agriculture resources livestock, and machinery as per best international practices and guidelines of the UNFAO, an overdue activity.
The 7th Agricultural Census will provide benchmark data for policy planning to fulfil the food and fiber needs of more than 241 million populace of the Country.
For broader involvement and wider acceptability, the PBS initiated engagements with Partner Organizations and Provincial Stakeholders Viz. Board of Revenue, Agriculture (Extension), Livestock, Provincial Bureau of Statistics, Crop Reporting Services etc.
The participation of stakeholders helped in diversified perspectives, identifying needs, and addressing the shortcomings and potential issues for provision of reliable data in agriculture as per requirements and avoiding any inconvenience during field operation of the Agricultural Census.
The process was started with the meeting of all provincial focal persons (SMBRs) at PBS HQ Islamabad on December 20, 2023.
Afterwards, series of Provincial meetings started, first provincial meeting was held at Provincial Census Coordination Center (P3C), PBS, Karachi, for Sindh province on February 01, 2024, the second provincial meeting was held on February 15, 2024 at P3C, PBS, Provincial Office, Punjab, Lahore. Third provincial meeting held today on February 20, 2024 at Peshawar.
Muhammad Sarwar Gondal, Member (SS/RM), senior officers from PBS HQ Islamabad, provincial office Peshawar, and senior officers from Provincial Departments of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also attended the meeting.
It was highlighted that the economy of Pakistan depends upon agriculture and agriculture has 23% shares in the GDP, and is providing employment to the 37% of the labor force.
The Live Stock share in the agriculture is 64%, while independently Live Stock is contributing 14% in the GDP. Therefore, latest data on agriculture sector is required for evidence-based policy planning while Agricultural Census 2024 will be an authentic source in this regard. He emphasized on the participation and cooperation of provincial stakeholders, for successful completion of the field operation for the 7th Agricultural Census.
Mr. Muhammad Sarwar Gondal, Member (Support Services/IT), apprised in detail regarding the methodology, field operation plan, Media Strategy, and Budget requirements.
He informed that PBS is using meticulous integrated approach covering all three aspects of agriculture land, crops, livestock, and machinery which is also vetted by the FAO. He also presented the schedule for field operation during September-October 2024.
It will be the First Integrated Digital exercise in the field of agriculture for data collection in Pakistan through optimum utilization of available resources.
The Digital aspects like Tablet based data collection, use of digitized maps of Mouzas/Blocks, SMS Gateway, Call Center, were elaborated in detail.
It was informed that for smooth and efficient field operations, Various Working Groups for Complaint Management and provision of information have been constituted.
Further 157 Census Support Centers (CSCs) have been established equipped with digital technology at each Deputy Commissioner’s Office. The divisional and district census coordinators have already been deployed by PBS at each CSC for technical guidance, facilitation, and operational management.
Similarly, 157 Training Venues having facilities of multimedia, internet, sound system, laptops, printers have been shortlisted. Training will be imparted using ICT materials with interactive videos/audios by the expert trainers to ensure standardization of the census concepts.
The PBS has also planned for process re-engineering to enumerate the big holdings (NCH) throughout the Country.
The provincial stakeholders appreciated the efforts of PBS and ensured the cooperation for successful conduct of this task of National importance.
, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) has planned to conduct the 7th Agricultural Census throughout the Country as integrated digital count of agriculture resources livestock, and machinery as per best international practices and guidelines of the UNFAO, an overdue activity.){kind=link}