Panjgur Resources
The statistics on land use reveal that more than half (60.1%) of the geographical area of the district is not reported yet. Less than 5 percent of the total geographical area is potentially available for cultivation and even more than half of this area is culturable waste. Most of the reported area is not available for cultivation. Time series data reveal that area under cultivation is decreasing mainly due to unavailability of agricultural labour and water for irrigation. Therefore, it may be inferred that to develop the agricultural potential in the district efforts may be directed towards mechanisation, provision of irrigation sources, and the area not (yet) reported so that agriculture based economy of the district can sustain.
|
Land use 1994-95 |
Area (Ha.) |
% of total district area |
|
|
Total Geographical Area |
1,689,091 |
100.0 |
|
|
Area not Reported |
1,015,863 |
60.1 |
|
|
Area Reported |
673,228 |
39.9 |
|
|
- Area not available for cultivation |
594,877 |
35.2 |
|
|
- Area under forest |
0 |
0 |
|
|
- Area under permanent pasture |
70,525* |
4.2* |
|
|
- Culturable waste |
49,182 |
2.9 |
|
|
- Area under water logging/salinity |
0 |
0 |
|
|
- Arable land |
29,169 |
1.7 |
|
|
Potential area available for cultivation |
78,351 |
4.6 |
|
|
Source: |
Agricultural Statistics of Balochistan 1994-95 |
||
|
* These figures are provided by the National Management Consultants (NMC) with reference to the Irrigation Department however these are not reported by any other source. |
|||
According to the land use statistics most of the reported area in Panjgur district is not available for agriculture and about three fifth of the area is not yet reported. There is shortage of water for irrigation. Therefore agricultural resources are hard to be exploited. Moreover, due to employment in the Gulf states and consequently high level of income, people are reluctant to work as agricultural workers. Average annual rainfall is less than 250 mm. Therefore aridity is prevalent in the area. Climate is normally temperate in the district but goorich in winter season makes movement outside difficult.
Wind erosion, being a major environmental threat, requires afforestation as a protective measure. Grey pollution, which is causing severe health hazards, needs attention of public health planners.
Fuel wood and petroleum products are used as energy sources as the electricity supply is not regular. Cross-border import has made the availability of petroleum products easy and affordable. The district has not been explored for minerals but a small amount of antimony is being mined out and occurrence of sulphur and salt has been indicated.
After an overview of the district resources it might be concluded that the district has potential for agriculture if irrigation water, agricultural machinery and labour is available. There is need for development of irrigation as well as water supply schemes and for the availability of agricultural inputs, like fertilisers, seeds and pesticides.