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Agriculture in Punjab

Agriculture is mainstay of Pakistan's economy. It accounts for 21% of the GDP and together with agro-based products fetches 80% of the country?s total export earnings. More than 48% of the labour force is engaged in this sector.
The Punjab province has about 29% of the total reported, 57% of the total cultivated and 69% of the total cropped area of Pakistan. It contributes a major share in the agricultural economy of the country by providing about 83% of cotton, 80% of wheat, 97% fine aromatic rice, 63% of sugarcane and 51% of maize to the national food production. Among fruits, mango accounts for 66%, citrus more than 95%, guava 82% and dates 34% of total national production of these fruits.

Land Use Statistics

	(Million Hactares)	(Million Acres)
Geographical Area	20.63	50.98
Total Area Reported	17.49	43.22
Forest Area	0.49	1.21
Not available for Cultivation	2.95	7.29
Culturable Waste	1.56	3.85
Cultivated Area	12.49	30.86
Current Fallow	1.39	3.43
Net Area Sown	11.10	27.43
Area Sown more than once	5.86	14.48
Total Cropped area	16.96	41.91

Source: Agricultural Statistics of Pakistan 2008-09

Farm Size Statistics

Size of Farm (Hectares)	Farm		Farms Area		Avg. size of Farm Area (Hectares)
Size of Farm (Hectares)	Number	%	Hectares	%	Avg. size of Farm Area (Hectares)
All Farms	3,864,166	*	11,261,963	*
Government Farms	96	*	26,802	*
Private Farms	3,864,070	100	11,235,161	100	2.9
Under 0.5	703,638	18	201,112	2	0.3
0.5 to under 1.0	617,265	16	459,408	4	0.7
1.0 to under 2.0	844,219	22	1,166,753	10	1.4
2.0 to under 3.0	597,863	15	1,403,901	12	2.3
3.0 to under 5.0	536,361	14	2,081,497	19	3.9
5.0 to under 10.0	368,362	10	2,422,326	22	6.6
10.0 to under 20.0	149,018	4	1,858,563	17	12.5
20.0 to under 40.0	36,696	1	909,254	8	24.8
40.0 to under 60.0	5,712	*	263,095	2	46.1
60.0 and above	4,932	*	469,257	4	95.1

* = Negligible
Source: - Census of Agriculture-2000 (Agricultural Statistics of Pakistan 2008-09)

Mission

A system aiming to sustain food security and support to national economy, making agriculture cost effective and knowledge based, with emphasis on farmer?s welfare and maintenance of the yield potentials.

Objectives

Ensuring food security
Enhancing productivity through better varieties and improved management practices
Promoting high value crops, fruits and vegetables
Promoting export of high value agricultural products
Promoting efficient use of water and other inputs
Improving soil health
Development of culturable waste lands
Ensuring fair returns for the growers in marketing of their produce

Budget

Year
Development
(Rs. Billion)

Non Development
(Rs. Billion)

Total
(Rs. Billion)

2005-06

0.925

2.466
3.391

2006-07

1.100

2.500
3.600

2007-08

2.800

2.595
5.395

2008-09
3.000

4.258
7.258

2009-10
3.200

5.415
8.615

Major Achievements

Record Production of Paddy and Wheat during 2008-09
Green Tractor Scheme
Approval of Bt Cotton Varieties
Establishment of Foundation Seed Cell in AARI
Reactivation of Punjab Agricultural Research Board (PARB) after 11 years
50% reduction in incidence of pesticide adulteration i.e. from 16% to 8%
Establishment of Punjab Agricultural Marketing Company (PAMCO)
30 crop varieties were approved /released during last three years
A mango consignment sent to EU by sea to reduce freight charges

Current Initiatives

One cold storage established at Lahore and four approved for Rahim Yar Khan, Islamabad, Faisalabad and Multan airports
Kinnow & Mango pack houses & cold storages are proposed at Bhalwal and Multan
Research Institutes for Mango and Potato established at Multan and Sahiwal
To increase seed stock capacity of Punjab Seed Corporation by 23% over the next 3 years
Steps taken for hybrid seed production
MOU between PSC and M/S Silverland Company to form joint venture for production of hybrid vegetable seeds and Bt Cotton varieties
Timely campaign against white fly has been initiated on spring crops

For further detalis visit us at www.agripunjab.gov.pk