For new farmers, small-scale entrepreneurs, or those wishing to acquire farmland, finding the cheapest agricultural land in Punjab Pakistan has gained the utmost importance. While the farmland in Punjab Pakistan is still being pushed out of reach due to urbanization and the ever-increasing prices of real estate, there are still certain parts of Punjab, that provide agricultural land at a much lower price. Identifying and evaluating such regions of Punjab along with their future prospective value is crucial for anyone who is looking for investment or desire to cultivate over the long term.
Where is the cheapest land found?
The agricultural land that is the cheapest is usually found in the less developed regions of Punjab Pakistan that are canal-irrigated. These areas tend to have moderate soil fertility along with little or no infrastructure. The remote areas of Khanewal, and a portion of southern Punjab that is in proximity to the Thal Desert like the Chaubara Tehsil have agricultural land at much lower prices.
The Attock districts have land in Pari and Fateh Jang where, at nearly 150,000 to 200,000 PKR per kanal, it is much cheaper compared to the rest of Pakistan. Khanewal is another district where the much of the available land is cheaper compared to other districts, with several listings at 1.3 to 2.8 million PKR for 100 kanals, equating to 13,000-28,000 PKR per kanal.
Traits of Inexpensive Agricultural Land
The lower priced areas mostly have a few traits in common. These locations tend to be further away from metropolitan areas like cities or markets. They don’t have proper irrigation systems or easy access to groundwater. In Southern Punjab areas like Chaubara adjacent to Bhakkar or Thal desert, land is priced at 5 to 6 million PKR for 24 acres (~30,000 per kanal or 130,000 PKR per acre). Not to forget, the land would be useless unless canals are constructed or reclamation is done. These regions have the most inexpensive agriculturable land in the Punjab province in Pakistan with trade-offs being lower access and lower productivity.
Attock: One of the Farmers’ Most Inexpensive Choice
Wetted areas have an agricultural average price to buy land, and to the Attock region, this price is relatively low. Some listings have and agricultural land for sale close to Fateh suggesting a price of 150,000 to 350,000 PKR per kanal. This price is partially dependent on the land’s water supply, and proximity to CPEC routes. Land priced at PKR 150,000 per kanal is considered very cheap for farmland in the far regions of Punjab. This partially explains why the land is highly valued. It is utilized for canal irrigated crops like wheat, peanuts, olives and crops such lower valued agricultural lands.
Khanewal And Southern Parts: Ultra-Low Prices
Like in Khanewal or parts of Multan division, one can find very low prices advertised such as PKR 1.3 million for 100 kanals (thus ~PKR 13,000 per kanal) or PKR 2 million for larger 100 kanal holdings (PKR 20,000 per kanal). Many of these low priced plots are, of course, unenviated kacha land or located near kacha roads. These land plots do, however, stand as the cheapest agricultural land in Punjab Pakistan. Such plots are particularly appealing for long term investments or low-input farming. Â
Thal Desert And Reclamation Projects
In areas long considered barren such as Chaubara Tehsil of Layyah or parts of Bhakkar district (Thal Desert) land is very cheap, sometimes selling for PKR 200,000 to PKR 300,000 per acre (~PKR 50,000 to 75,000 per kanal). These areas are among the cheapest agricultural land in Punjab Pakistan. The Greater Thal Canal is expected to increase the wateraccess in these areas improving the value of these lands, though they will initially be non-fertile or semi-desert.
Balancing Risk with Reward
While some regions in Pakistan, like Attock and Khanewal, sit far from vital markets and are devoid of fertile soil and reliable water sources, they do offer cheaper agricultural land. This land, however, comes with the burden of higher risks. On the other hand, Southern Punjab and the Thal regions are rich in soil and offer water sources, but these regions do require greater investment in land development and irrigation. Buyers have the option of weighing cheaper upfront costs against ongoing maintenance expenses.
Future Profit and Investment Strategy
Used strategically, these low-cost farmlands have the potential to increase in value. Leasing these to local farmers, growing low-input crops such as pulses or oilseeds, or reselling as infrastructure develops are all ways through which value can be added. Additionally, the average ROI of 10% to 15% per annum on farms in the middle regions of Punjab fuels investment. With the right strategies, even those starting with backed agricultural land in Punjab Pakistan can achieve modest returns in the long-run.
Legal and Regulatory Considerations
Acquiring cheapest agricultural land in Punjab Pakistan demands careful consideration, especially if negotiating from a lower price point.To stay out of legal trouble, make sure the land is clear of claims and properly recorded in the Patwar and Tenant registers. Also, check that canal or groundwater is available for irrigation. In some regions of Punjab Pakistan, especially where land is offered at reduced prices, titles may be passed down through generations. Moreover, mapping precision requires on-the-ground help.
Impact of Urbanization on Prices
Urbanization is affecting agricultural land both in terms of scarcity and value within Punjab. Around cities like Lahore, Faisalabad, and Gujranwala, farmland is getting really expensive because of all the new housing societies and growing cities. But in the more remote parts of Punjab, land is still cheap since there hasn’t been much development there. The disparity is increasing between peri-urban expensive land and rural plots at much lower rates.
Advice for Prospective Buyers
So, for buyers looking for the cheapest agricultural land in Punjab Pakistan, looking at regions such as Fateh Jang area of Attock, Khanewal’s kacha-land listings, or even the borders of Thal Desert may be a good starting point. Do a thorough assessment of water supply, soil quality, and infrastructure. Though the price per kanal is low, enhanced profits tend to come only after reclamation and irrigation investment. Understanding local farming and site visiting is very important.
Conclusion
The most affordable and cheapest agricultural land in Punjab Pakistan can be found in the western most districts of Attock, the Khanewal region of southern Punjab, and the fringes of the Thal Desert, regions like Chaubara. Land in these areas is sold at very low prices, sometimes even PKR 13,000 to 200,000 per kanal. Water availability and infrastructure can greatly influence the pricing.
Although these plots are very risky in terms of productivity and access to markets, they are still the most cost effective way to access agricultural land in Punjab. Furthermore, these plots of land may increase in value in the future due to possible irrigation schemes or general region development. Buyers should proceed carefully, be willing to invest in the changes needed to make the land productive, and ensure thorough legal checks are done for the ownership documents.
