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99.6 pc of targeted area under wheat cultivation in Sindh

RECORDER REPORT

HYDERABAD: An area of 11,28,544 hectares has been brought under wheat cultivation in Sindh up to December 31, 1999, which is 99.6 percent of the targeted area.

The deputy directors of Agriculture extension informed a meeting, held under the chairmanship of the Director General Aftab Ahmed Somro here on Friday.

The meeting was further informed that "Bosi" cultivation of wheat was continuing in Larkana, Shikarpur and Jacobabad districts. The wheat sowing target of 11,33,200 hectares will be surpassed, it was also stated.

During the corresponding date last year, an area of 11,19,099 hectares was brought under wheat cultivation.

The field officers said irrigation water shortage was reported in many areas, even first irrigation water for wheat crop in Umerkot area was not available.

The sown wheat crop was reported to be healthy as cold weather was helping the crop in growth.

The director general, emphasised the need for guiding farmers on control of weeds in wheat crop through chemicals and manual methods in order to get more yield per hectare. A special drive may be initiated in this respect, he added.

He directed the field officers to advise growers to avail the facility of production loans provided by the ADBP through one-window system. The date for loans had been extended up to January 31, he said.

The divisional commissioners were being approached to hold meetings regarding issuance of pass books for smooth lending operation, he said.

The director general said Sindh had produced good wheat crop for the last four years, with highest yield per hectare.

Sindh had produced 23,44,842 tonnes 24,43,926 tonnes, 26,59,351 tonnes and 26,75,106 tonnes during the years 1995-96, 1996-97, 1997-98 and 1998-99 respectively.

This year production target has been fixed at 30,00,000 tonnes.

As per averages of last two years, the yield per hectare of wheat in Punjab was 2,277 kg in Sindh 2,378 kgs in the NWFP 1,451, in Balochistan 2,331 and in the AJK 1,060.