Wheat cultivation ensured on over 16.5m acres in Punjab: Kirmani

LAHORE: Punjab Minister for Agriculture Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani has said that the provincial government has set a target of ensuring wheat cultivation over more than 16.5 million acres across Punjab during the current Rabi season, while 865,000 acres have been earmarked for wheat cultivation in Sahiwal Division.

He was chairing a review meeting on wheat cultivation in Sahiwal on Tuesday, which reviewed cultivation targets, availability of fertilisers and other related arrangements.

Kirmani said that, on the special directions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the wheat cultivation campaign was in full swing across the province. He said the chief minister had won farmers’ confidence by announcing a proposed wheat support price of Rs 4,500 per maund.

He directed the Agriculture Department to ensure wheat cultivation on all designated areas under the Apna Khet Apna Rozgar Programme, Ghoori Pal Programme and Nambardari Grant, in line with the chief minister’s vision.

The minister said the Punjab government was in continuous coordination with the federal government regarding fertiliser production, imports and timely supplies across the province. Adequate fertiliser stocks were available for the Rabi season, he added.

He further said that, on the chief minister’s instructions, the wheat procurement mechanism would be finalised by March 15.

Secretary Agriculture Shakeel Ahmad Mian said the department was ensuring the availability of fertilisers at officially notified prices across the province. Displaying government-notified price lists at the premises of all fertiliser dealers had been made mandatory, he added.

Commissioner Sahiwal Division Dr Muhammad Asif Tufail said the divisional and district administrations would work closely with the Agriculture Department to achieve the prescribed wheat cultivation targets.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026