By Azeem Ahmed Khan

Punjab’s farm economy has shown a broad and diversified base, with the province reporting 5.05 million farms operating over 31 million acres, according to the latest Agricultural Census 2024.

The census results show that the average farm size in Punjab stood at 5.3 acres, while the average size of cultivated area was recorded at 5.9 acres. The data highlight the province’s strong agricultural spread across its major divisions, with Dera Ghazi Khan reporting the highest number of farms and Sargodha leading in average farm size.

Dera Ghazi Khan topped the province with 0.824 million farms, accounting for 16% of all farms in Punjab. Faisalabad followed with 0.646 million farms, or 13%, while Bahawalpur had 0.643 million farms, also representing 13%. Gujranwala accounted for 0.598 million farms, or 12%, followed by Multan with 0.575 million farms, or 11%.

Sargodha reported 0.544 million farms, making up 11% of the provincial total, while Rawalpindi had 0.485 million farms, or 10%. Sahiwal and Lahore accounted for 0.376 million and 0.360 million farms, respectively, each representing 7% of the total farm count.

In terms of farm area, Sargodha held the largest share with 4.894 million acres, accounting for 16% of Punjab’s total farm area. Dera Ghazi Khan followed closely with 4.880 million acres, also representing 16%. Bahawalpur recorded 4.083 million acres, or 13%, while Faisalabad had 3.507 million acres, or 11%.

Gujranwala’s farm area stood at 3.335 million acres, accounting for 11%, followed by Multan with 3.053 million acres, or 10%, and Rawalpindi with 3.010 million acres, or 10%. Sahiwal recorded 2.177 million acres, or 7%, while Lahore had 2.101 million acres, also representing 7%.

The census also shows clear variation in average farm size across divisions. Sargodha recorded the highest average farm area at 9 acres, along with the highest average cultivated area of 8.4 acres. Bahawalpur followed with an average farm area of 6.4 acres and an average cultivated area of 6 acres.

Rawalpindi reported an average farm area of 6.2 acres and a cultivated area of 5.4 acres, while Dera Ghazi Khan had an average farm area of 5.9 acres and a cultivated area of 5.6 acres. Lahore recorded 5.8 acres for both average farm area and cultivated area, while Sahiwal recorded 5.8 acres for average farm area and 5.7 acres for cultivated area.

Gujranwala’s average farm area was recorded at 5.6 acres and cultivated area at 5.5 acres. Faisalabad reported an average farm area of 5.4 acres and a cultivated area of 5.3 acres, while Multan stood at 5.3 acres for both.

The latest census results present an important snapshot of Punjab’s agricultural structure, showing that farm ownership and cultivated land remain widely distributed across the province. With more than 5.05 million farms and over 31.04 million acres under cultivation, the data provide a fresh statistical basis for planning farm productivity, input use, mechanisation, and rural development policies.

Credit: INP-WealthPk