Because Pakistan is an agricultural country, one would expect a large area under plough. The reality , however, is otherwise only 28 percent of the total land area of the country is under cultivation. The main impediments to further agricultural expansion are arid conditions and rugged topography. Despite the obstacles, the cultivated area has increased from 147000 square kilometers in 1947-8 to 220000 square kilometers in 2000-1 and increase of 50 percent in 52 years.
Pakistan has three options for extending the cultivable area. ploughing forests and converting uncultivable land and cultivable waste into productive farm land. In practice, the forested land area and the uncultivable area have increased over the years. On the other hand, cutivable waste has not appreciably changed. However, the cultivable area has increased by 73000 square kilometers. The only plausible explanation of this is that the cultivated area was already in existence but was not duly reported.
Unfortunately, it is difficult to determine land use in Pakistan with any degree of accuracy. The information that we have relates to those areas that have been specifically reported, usually from old village records. Most of these village records are incomplete slightly more reliable information is available where a proper settlement survey has been done.
Fortunately, however, the method of reporting is gradually improving. In 2000-1, the land use of 60 percent of the total land are 461000 square kilometers was reported and, in 2000-1, the land use of 75 percent 593000 square kilometers. As reporting improving, the land use of more are and the cultivable area is becoming known with the extension of the reported area , hidden cultivated areas are coming to light. One notable feature of agricultural land use in Pakistan is the extension in ares sown more than once. this has increased five times between 1947 and 2000-1, largely due to improved irrigational facilities.
Pakistan has three options for extending the cultivable area. ploughing forests and converting uncultivable land and cultivable waste into productive farm land. In practice, the forested land area and the uncultivable area have increased over the years. On the other hand, cutivable waste has not appreciably changed. However, the cultivable area has increased by 73000 square kilometers. The only plausible explanation of this is that the cultivated area was already in existence but was not duly reported.
Unfortunately, it is difficult to determine land use in Pakistan with any degree of accuracy. The information that we have relates to those areas that have been specifically reported, usually from old village records. Most of these village records are incomplete slightly more reliable information is available where a proper settlement survey has been done.
Fortunately, however, the method of reporting is gradually improving. In 2000-1, the land use of 60 percent of the total land are 461000 square kilometers was reported and, in 2000-1, the land use of 75 percent 593000 square kilometers. As reporting improving, the land use of more are and the cultivable area is becoming known with the extension of the reported area , hidden cultivated areas are coming to light. One notable feature of agricultural land use in Pakistan is the extension in ares sown more than once. this has increased five times between 1947 and 2000-1, largely due to improved irrigational facilities.
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