MART-AZR Project Research Report 20: Agricultural and Related Statistics of Upland Baluchistan

Asif Masood M, M. Afzal, Nagy J. G, Khan S. M. (21/7/1988). MART-AZR Project Research Report 20: Agricultural and Related Statistics of Upland Baluchistan. Beirut, Lebanon: International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA).

Abstract

Secondary data and information gathering is part of the descriptive and diagnostic studies undertaken by the MART/AZR Project. The 112 Tables and five figures in this publication of agricultural and related statistics represents secondary data and information that focuses on upland Baluchistan where MART/AZRI high elevation research (altitude greater than 1000 m) is carried out. Upland Baluchistan encompasses the Districts of Kachhi, Khuzdar, Kalat, Loralai, Pishin, Quetta, and Zhob (Fig. 1). Not all of the area of Kachhi and Khuzdar Districts are over 1000 meters in altitude. Because data is only available on a District basis, those areas under 1000 m could not be separated out. The majority of the data are from various Government of Baluchistan and Government of Pakistan agricultural statistics and census publications. Information on meteorology comes from ICARDA (MART/AZR) reports based on Pakistan Department of Meteorology data. Where possible, data are given in Tables on an individual upland District basis. Tables on total upland Baluchistan and total Baluchistan are given for comparison. Data on credit, literacy, labour force, and meteorology are not available on a District basis. Unfortunately, the 1986 census of livestock data was not available in time for this publication. Growth rates for hectarage, production and yield of crops have been calculated. They are calculated regressing the log of either hectarage, production or yield on time (Log Y = a + b x time, where b x 100 = the growth rate). The regression method was chosen because the results are less sensitive to the value of the end points than other methods such as the geometric. The geometric growth rate method is used, however, for calculating census year livestock growth rates because values for intervening year are not available. Land utilization and crop statistics reporting in Baluchistan is not based on regular statistical gathering procedures. Data is gathered by Patwaris (village accountants) on a subjective basis. relating this years hectarage, production and yield to last years and making an estimate (guess). The reliability of this method and agricultural statistics that it provides are unknown. Statistics for crops under irrigated conditions which are less dependent on rainfall conditions may be more reliable than for rainfed crops. Rainfed hectarage, production and yield can fluctuate widely from year to year making it more difficult to assess.