Punjab is preparing to launch a satellite-based crop tracking system to tackle long-standing concerns about unreliable agricultural data. The project, due to start next year, is expected to provide more consistent figures for key crops, particularly cotton, which is vital to Pakistan’s economy.
Accurate crop statistics have been a persistent problem for the country. Inconsistent reports have complicated planning for trade, subsidies, and production targets.
Punjab, as the top cotton producer, has often faced criticism over disputed numbers between its Crop Reporting Service (CRS) and the Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA).
The new system is being developed under the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) in partnership with China and linked to the Land Information and Management System (LIMS), which aims to modernise farm management.
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Officials said the technology would settle arguments over production figures. CRS recently reported Punjab’s cotton output at 609,000 bales by July, while PCGA put the figure at 301,000.
CRS says its surveys cover farms and storage areas and follow FAO-approved techniques, while PCGA argues it reports only cotton processed at ginneries, which it claims reflects market-ready supply.
Authorities are also urging the Federal Board of Revenue to install tracking systems at all ginning facilities to support transparency. By merging satellite data with on-ground factory monitoring, they hope to restore confidence in crop reporting and give decision-makers a stronger basis for policies.
