Islamabad: Gallup Pakistan, as part of its Big Data Analysis initiative, is examining the irrigation methods and cropping patterns revealed in the 7th Agricultural Census 2024, the country’s first Integrated Digital Count of agriculture, conducted by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

National Irrigation Profile: Canal irrigation remains the largest single source, covering 33.74% of irrigated land, followed by tube-well irrigation at 26.44%, combined canal + tube-well systems at 20.89%, and other sources such as wells and tanks at 18.93%.

Provincial Irrigation Differences: Sindh relies heavily on canals (68.43%), while Balochistan’s main source is tube-wells (42.85%). Punjab shows a balanced mix of canals (35.21%), tube-wells (29.47%), and combined systems (25.06%), whereas Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has the highest proportion of ‘Other’ irrigation sources at 43.73%.

National Cropping Patterns: Wheat dominates with 37.12% of cropped area nationwide, followed by cotton (14.05%), rice (13.46%), fodder (10.18%), sugarcane (6.91%), and a range of other crops making up 18.28%.

Provincial Cropping Patterns: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa allocates nearly half of its cropped area to wheat (46.77%), while Punjab and Sindh dedicate significant shares to both cotton and rice. Balochistan stands out with 12.07% of land under fruits and vegetables, alongside high shares for wheat (41.23%) and fodder (13.54%).

Water-Intensive Crops Concentration: Punjab and Sindh’s substantial cotton and rice shares highlight dependence on water-intensive crops, posing sustainability challenges amid increasing water scarcity.

Policy Implications: The mix of irrigation methods and crop choices underscores the need for efficient water management technologies, crop diversification, and targeted provincial strategies to address differing agricultural realities.