By Azeem Ahmed Khan

Punjab’s agricultural machinery base has expanded sharply, with tractor numbers rising by 134% to 777,404 units and tubewells and lift pumps increasing by 84% to 1.542 million units, according to the Agricultural Census 2024, a copy of which is available with Wealth Pakistan.

The census presents a clear picture of a changing farm machinery landscape in Punjab. Tractor numbers have more than doubled, several implements have grown strongly and solar-powered irrigation machinery has become a major feature of the province’s agricultural system.

The census shows that the total number of tractors increased from 331,905 in the Agricultural Machinery Census 2004 to 777,404 in the 2024 census. The expansion reflects a major increase in mechanisation across Punjab’s farm economy.

Among tractor makes, Massey Ferguson remained the largest category, rising by 166% from 151,531 in 2004 to 402,523 in 2024. Fiat tractors increased by 116%, from 140,225 to 302,713. Belarus tractors rose by 35%, from 11,755 to 15,914, while the “others” category increased by 151%, from 5,295 to 13,279.

New Holland tractors were counted at 25,266 in 2024. However, some older categories declined. Ford tractors fell by 25%, from 21,259 to 15,985, while IMT tractors declined by 6%, from 1,840 to 1,725.

The increase was not limited to tractors. Owned farm implements and equipment also expanded strongly. Cultivators rose by 140%, from 317,506 to 763,231. Disk ploughs increased by 226%, from 16,471 to 53,729, while chisel ploughs surged by 1,111%, from 5,509 to 66,691.

Rotavators also showed strong growth, increasing by 291%, from 44,192 to 172,857. Mould board ploughs rose by 65%, from 27,093 to 44,583. Disk harrows remained almost unchanged at 16,031 in 2024 compared with 16,032 in 2004, while ridgers declined by 23%, from 66,806 to 51,585.

Punjab’s irrigation machinery profile also changed significantly. The number of tubewells and lift pumps increased from 837,904 in 2004 to 1.541 million in 2024. Electric-powered units rose sharply by 432%, from 67,212 to 357,832, while diesel-powered units declined by 56%, from 770,692 to 341,455.

Solar power has emerged as the largest power source, with 895,828 solar-powered tubewells and lift pumps counted in 2024. The census also recorded 16,203 petrol-powered units and 19,576 units under other power sources.

Within irrigation machinery, tubewells increased by 79%, from 831,479 to 1.490 million, while lift pumps rose by 695%, from 6,425 to 51,084. Submersible pumps recorded the sharpest growth, increasing from 139 to 124,884, an increase of 89,745%.

Credit: INP-WealthPk