Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by area, is divided into 36 districts. Each district has its unique geographic, agricultural, and economic significance. Below is an overview of the districts, focusing on their agricultural context and how they contribute to the province’s economic and statistical landscape under the guidance of the Crop Reporting Services (CRS).
- Awaran:
Known for its rugged terrain, Awaran’s primary agriculture focuses on small-scale date palm cultivation and livestock farming. - Barkhan:
Barkhan is a relatively fertile area with significant wheat, barley, and vegetable cultivation, thanks to its water resources. - Chagai:
A mineral-rich district, Chagai also supports drought-resistant crops such as wheat, dates, and limited livestock farming. - Dera Bugti:
Known for its oil and gas reserves, agriculture here focuses on wheat, dates, and animal husbandry, sustained through irrigation. - Duki:
A key district for coal mining, Duki has limited agricultural activities with crops like wheat and barley grown in pockets of arable land. - Gwadar:
The coastal hub of Gwadar focuses on fishing and limited cultivation of date palms, with emerging opportunities for sea farming. - Harnai:
Known for its apple and apricot orchards, Harnai has a favorable climate for fruit cultivation and sheep farming. - Jafarabad:
A major rice-producing district in Balochistan, Jafarabad has significant irrigation systems supporting rice, wheat, and sugarcane crops. - Jhal Magsi:
Wheat and date palm cultivation are prominent, with livestock farming as a major economic activity. - Kachhi (Bolan):
Known for its agricultural diversity, Bolan produces crops like wheat, barley, and fruits, with a focus on irrigated
farming. - Kalat:
Renowned for almond and pistachio farming, Kalat also supports livestock due to its semi-arid climate. - Kech (Turbat):
Turbat is famous for its high-quality dates and is one of the largest producers in the province. - Kharan:
This arid district focuses on wheat, barley, and date palm farming, along with livestock rearing. - Khuzdar:
Khuzdar supports mixed agriculture, including wheat, barley, and fruit orchards, and is also an important mining district. - Killa Abdullah:
A fertile district, Killa Abdullah produces a variety of fruits, including apples, peaches, and grapes. - Killa Saifullah:
Known for fruit orchards, especially apples, grapes, and apricots, Killa Saifullah also focuses on wheat and livestock farming. - Kohlu:
A mountainous region with wheat and barley farming alongside livestock rearing, particularly sheep and goats. - Lasbela:
Known for its coastal agriculture, Lasbela grows bananas, mangos, and a variety of vegetables. The district also supports fishing and livestock. - Lehri:
A new district formed from Sibi, Lehri focuses on wheat, barley, and date farming, along with livestock farming. - Loralai:
Loralai is known for fruit farming, particularly apples and apricots, and livestock. - Mastung:
An agricultural district focusing on wheat, fruits (particularly apples and grapes), and livestock rearing. - Musakhel:
Wheat and barley farming are common, with a focus on small-scale livestock farming. - Nasirabad:
A key rice-producing district, Nasirabad also grows wheat and sugarcane, benefiting from extensive irrigation. - Nushki:
Known for date palms, Nushki focuses on desert agriculture, supported by groundwater irrigation. - Panjgur:
Famous for its date production, Panjgur also grows wheat and supports livestock farming. - Pishin:
Pishin is an agricultural powerhouse, producing fruits like apples, grapes, and apricots, with extensive orchards and irrigated farmland. - Quetta:
As the capital, Quetta’s agriculture includes temperate fruits like apples, cherries, and apricots, with a focus on both livestock and crop farming. - Sherani:
A rugged district focusing on small-scale farming of wheat, barley, and fruits, with an emphasis on livestock. - Sibi:
Known for livestock, Sibi is also a key district for cotton and wheat farming. - Sohbatpur:
Established as a separate district from Jafarabad, Sohbatpur focuses on rice and wheat farming, benefiting from irrigation systems. - Washuk:
A sparsely populated district, Washuk focuses on desert agriculture, with date palms and small-scale wheat
farming. - Zhob:
A district known for its orchards, particularly apples and apricots, Zhob also has significant livestock farming. - Ziarat:
Famous for its apple orchards, Ziarat is an important fruit-producing district with a favorable climate for highaltitude farming. - Dera Murad Jamali:
Established from parts of Jafarabad, it focuses on wheat and rice cultivation, supported by canal irrigation. - Usta Mohammad:
Known for rice farming, Usta Mohammad plays a significant role in contributing to Balochistan’s grain output. - Kalat (Surab):
A part of Kalat known for its fruit production, especially apples and pomegranates, Surab supports the province’s
horticulture industry.
- Awaran:
Agricultural Correlation and Statistical Strategy
The Crop Reporting Services (CRS) in Balochistan collects, analyzes, and disseminates data from these districts, ensuring accurate land use, yield estimations, and cost of production statistics. This helps in effective policy formulation and provides critical insights for both local farmers and provincial stakeholders. Each district is an integral part of the overall agricultural framework, contributing to the province’s food security, economic growth, and rural development.