Loralai, A key meeting chaired by Loralai Additional Deputy Commissioner Abdullah Zehri, in collaboration with the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), has laid the groundwork for the 7th Agriculture Census to be conducted digitally. This marks a significant shift towards modernizing data collection in Pakistan’s crucial agricultural sector.

According to Directorate General Public Relation – Govt of Balochistan, the meeting highlighted the importance of up-to-date agricultural data for the country, stressing that such data could only be reliably obtained through a comprehensive agricultural census. Deputy Commissioner Zehri emphasized the commitment to support census teams with necessary security and logistics, ensuring smooth operations across various regions, categorized as A and B areas.

The meeting also set a timeline for the training and execution of the census. Training for enumerators and supervisors is scheduled to begin on July 22, utilizing advanced digital tools and interactive training methods to prepare staff for the fieldwork starting on September 1. This training will cover the use of tablet-based data collection, digital maps, and other technological tools to integrate data on agriculture, livestock, and agricultural machinery into a single census framework.

The initiative is part of a broader effort by the Pakistan Statistical Institute to integrate digital methodologies into national statistical processes, making district deputy commissioners the focal points for the census operations. The ambitious project aims to cover 311 blocks in the region, with detailed planning to ensure comprehensive coverage and accurate data collection.