LAKKI MARWAT/DI KHAN: The seventh agriculture census was launched in Bannu, Lakki Marwat and Dera Ismail Khan districts on Thursday.

Bannu deputy commissioner Abdul Hameed Khan and Lakki Marwat additional deputy commissioner Sikandar Khan inaugurated the census by conducting door marking in rural areas of their respective districts.

Bannu additional DC Aminullah Khan and officials of the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics were also present on the occasion.

Mr Hameed said on the occasion that the first digital census would help to develop the agriculture sector in the country.

The accurate data will help the government to carry out future planning in agriculture sector on modern lines.

He called upon enumerators to collect accurate data on agriculture, livestock and other relevant components to enable the government to formulate better planning for development of agriculture.

He said the census would also prove helpful to strengthen the agricultural economy of the country.

In Lakki Marwat, the additional deputy commissioner said at the inaugural ceremony that the agricultural census was aimed to gather accurate data to support agricultural development and improve planning for the farming community of the district.

Assistant commissioner Dera Ismail Khan inaugurated the census at a ceremony where district coordinator Mohammad Irfan, and Divisional Coordinator Omar Khan were also in attendance.

This agriculture census is the first integrated digital count in the country’s history, which will also include large landowners and livestock holders.

The purpose of the census is to gather accurate and reliable data for policymaking in the agricultural sector.

Addressing the opening ceremony, assistant commissioner Mohammad Fasiha Ishtiaq Abbasi praised the efforts of all relevant departments and emphasized the importance of the census. He urged the enumerators to carry out their national duty with dedication to ensure the success of the census.

Published in Dawn, January 3rd, 2025