The total geographical area of the district is 341,113 hectares and is 100% reported. The area not available for cultivation is 232,106 hectares which is 68% of the total geographical area. The area under culturable waste 65,842 hectares which is 19% of the geographical area. The net potential area available for cultivation is 99,562 hectares which is 29.19% of the geographical area. Arable land cultivated is 33,720 which is 9.89 of the geographical area and 33.87% of the net potential area is available for cultivation. The culturable waste is 57.09% of the next potential area available for cultivation, which is a large area that needs to be brought under cultivation.

Source: Irrigation Department, GoB, Quetta

The population census scheduled to be held in 1991 has not taken place. The existing statistics and data are inadequate and lack details. Similarly, data on social and economic indicators are not complete and many aspects like saving and investment, unemployment, figures are not available. Therefore economic analysis and projections are not possible. The data regarding sources of energy, consumption and use are not available, therefore issues pertaining to this sector cannot be analysed properly.

The area not available for cultivation is very large compared to the arable land. Culturable waste is potential area available for cultivation, but due to shortage of water the virgin land is not utilised. Low literacy rates make it difficult to use modern technology for greater production and exploitation of resources. Lack of funds make it difficult to construct infrastructure and carry out studies for mineral exploitation.

Back to Barkhan