By Azeem Ahmed Khan

Punjab’s cultivated area reached 29.645 million acres, with land use intensity improving to 98%, according to the Agricultural Census 2024.

The census estimates show that Punjab had 29.645 million acres of cultivated area, of which 29.026 million acres were net sown, while 0.618 million acres were current fallow. Net sown area accounted for 98% of the cultivated area at the provincial level.

The land-use picture has improved compared with 2010. Cultivated area increased by 10%, rising from 27.034 million acres in 2010 to 29.645 million acres in 2024. Uncultivated area declined sharply by 39%, falling from 2.292 million acres to 1.395 million acres.

This means Punjab not only expanded cultivated land, but also reduced idle farm area. The province’s cropped area also increased by 10%, from 45.046 million acres in 2010 to 49.720 million acres in 2024.

The seasonal breakdown shows that the area under Kharif crops increased by 11%, from 19.950 million acres to 22.225 million acres. Rabi crop area also rose by 9%, from 24.557 million acres to 26.689 million acres. This shows that Punjab’s cropping base expanded across both major crop seasons.

Land use intensity increased from 83% in 2010 to 98% in 2024, representing an 18% increase. Cropping intensity also rose from 159% to 168%, indicating more intensive use of net sown area during the agricultural year.

Division-wise data shows strong land use across most of Punjab. Multan and Sahiwal recorded the highest land use intensity at 100%. Faisalabad, Gujranwala and Lahore stood at 99%, while Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan and Sargodha remained close behind at 97% to 98%. Rawalpindi recorded the lowest land use intensity at 93%.

In the cultivated area, Dera Ghazi Khan led with 4.627 million acres, followed by Sargodha with 4.572 million acres and Bahawalpur with 3.879 million acres. Faisalabad reported 3.430 million acres, Gujranwala 3.261.5 million acres and Multan 3.023 million acres.

Rawalpindi reported 2.622 million acres of cultivated area, while Sahiwal stood at 2.154 million acres and Lahore at 2.077 million acres.

Credit: INP-WealthPk