20000103

'Punjab excels

in wheat sowing

target'

LAHORE: The Punjab Agriculture Department has surpassed wheat sowing target of 14.82 million acres fixed for the year 1999-2000 and hoped to bring more land under wheat cultivation if rain poured and required canal water was supplied timely.

Punjab Agriculture Secretary, Rana Nasim Ahmad, in an exclusive interview with APP here on Sunday said that "we are getting 12 percent less water in canals in the Punjab from sources these days as compared with pervious years.

He said that by the grace of Allah, as a result of good governance, round the clock strict monitoring and viable policy regarding the timely provision of fertilizers, certified and graded seed, pesticides and herbicides, on ground training of farmers, a total area measuring 14.9 million acres has so far been brought under wheat crop across the country by the end of December 29 last.

Nasim said that if we receive rain these days and water supply is improved timely in all canals, more areas could be brought under wheat crop. He said that the recent substantial increase in support wheat price from Rs 240 per 40 kg to Rs 300 will help boost wheat production besides achieving 14 million tonnes wheat target set for the Punjab for the year 1999-2000.

The Agriculture Secretary said that 40 percent more herbicides were imported in the Punjab than the last year which have been sold to farmers to help boost wheat production. He said that new support price has attracted the farmers to bring maximum land under wheat plough to get good return of their produce in the market.

He said the provision of certified and quality seed is a basic input for all crops and at present Punjab Seed Corporation is supplying sufficient quantity of certified seed to farmers which is being increased gradually every year.

The secretary said the availability of fertilizers (Phosphatic and Nitrogenous) is also being fully ensured to all farmers at their door-steps. He hoped that production target will be met through proper crop management and plant protection.

The secretary said an effort will also be made to bring as much as possible culturable waste land lying in different parts of the province, especially the reverine areas for boosting wheat production through horizontal expansion of acreage also.

He said extension wing of Agriculture Department would launch a campaign to achieve the targeted production both through horizontal and vertical means. For this purpose, the electric media would be used for dissemination of recommended package of technology to the farmers.ÑAPP