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10pc increase in wheat target: survey expected

AMER SIAL

ISLAMABAD: The country is likely to attain wheat autarky this year as according to the latest field survey, at least ten percent increase is expected in the production target of wheat, sources told Business Recorder.

The government has announced 20 million tonnes wheat production target for this Rabi crop, but the survey has pointed to 10 percent above the target yield.

Sources attributed the timely decision of the government to raise the support price of wheat from Rs 265 to Rs 300 per maund, as the main reason for this likely increase in output.

The raise in support price of wheat has resulted in increased acreage, and the growers turned to better farm management practices and, most surprisingly, the agriculture extension departments of the provinces played a better role this time for extending improved farm practices to the farmers, sources said.

According to the latest official figures, the wheat acreage in the country has registered a 2.2 percent increase. The wheat acreage for this Rabi crop is estimated at 8.56 million hectares whereas it was 8.23 million hectares in the last Rabi crop.

The growers had sown 90 percent of wheat acreage by December 20, 1999 the survey says. Sources said that this would also play a vital role in the increase of the yield, as late sown crop is adversely affected due to shorter period it gets for ripening.

The off-take of DAP also registered an increase of 50 percent, while weedicides off-take has shown an increase by 20-25 percent, and extension workers played an important role in balanced use of fertilizers, sources said.

However, the wheat production in barani areas of Balochistan and NWFP is likely to be lower than the target due to lack of rains. Sources said that the Balochistan government has made earnest efforts this time to increase wheat yield from its irrigated areas.