'Wheat output likely to fall short of target'

ASMA RAZAQ

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is likely to have a considerable reduction in wheat production this year as poor management and policies of the government hampered sowing of the crop this year.

Chairman of Agri-forum, Ibrahim Mughal, told Business Recorder here on Saturday that wheat sowing area was estimated 22.7 million acres in 2011-12, but sowing in the country to date was on 21 million acres--1.7 million acres less than the estimated area.

"The late announcement of wheat procurement price of Rs 1050 per 40 kg, non-availability of fertilizers, and increase in the cost of wheat seeds were main reasons behind considerable reduction in wheat sowing area", he said.

Wheat sowing target for Sindh was 3 million acres but the crop was sown on 2.3-2.4 million acres. In Punjab, wheat sowing target was 7 million acres but the crop was sown at 5.7 million acres. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the crop has been sown on 0.2 million acres less than the target.

Ibrahim said that there is 5.5 million tons wheat available in the country. "Out of this 5.5 million tons wheat, 3 million tons would be utilised till the arrival of the new crop", he added.