Wheat sowing target fixed at 17 million acres with 20 million tons production

LAHORE: The Punjab Government has fixed the target of sowing wheat on 17 million acres of land with production target of over 20 million tons of grain for the season 2020-21. Decision to this effect was taken at a meeting held here on Monday with the Punjab Agriculture Minister Hussain Jehanian Gardezi in the chair. The meeting was convened to draft wheat strategy for the coming season.

The meeting was attended by the Secretary Agriculture South Punjab Saqib Ali, Director General Agriculture (Extension) Dr Anjum Ali, Director General (Irrigation Improvement) Malik Muhammad Akram, Managing Director Punjab Seed Corporation Nasir Jamal and others.

The Minister speaking on this occasion fixed the 50 kilograms of wheat seed bag prepared by the Punjab Seed Corporation at Rs285. He urged the growers to use the quality seed prepared by the Punjab Seed Corporation to attain maximum per acre yield. He also urged the growers to bring maximum area under cultivation of wheat.

Hussain Jehanian Gardezi also directed the officers and field staff of agriculture extension wing to extend technical guidance to growers to achieve outreach goals. He also directed the officers concerned to make available wheat seed, fertilizer and other agricultural inputs in the market. He also approved a monitoring mechanism on this occasion.

He said that irrigation of wheat after timely sowing will be ensured one week before closure of canals. Officers briefing the Minister claimed that certified and approved quality seed is available in the market more than the requirement. They said there is no forecast of rain in the month of November so sowing target can be achieved within the stipulated time. The Minister also directed to adopt zero tolerance policy against fake pesticide and substandard fertilizer sellers.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020