Wheat harvesting begins in Punjab amid growing concerns

BHAKKAR: Wheat harvesting season has begun in all four tehsils of the district, including Bhakkar, Mankera, Kallar Kot and Darya Khan.

The entire process from sowing the seeds to harvesting the crops is a six monthlong ordeal. There are many expenses farmers have to bear such as the cost of operating tube wells which are needed to water the land.

In addition to this, the cost of fertilisers, seeds and pesticides is borne by taking loans which are repaid after the crop is harvested. Farmers sow the seeds throughout the icy months of November and December.

It is only six months later that they are able to witness the fruits of their labour. Unfortunately, this year round torrential rain and hailstorms devastated wheat crops in the province, including Bhakkar.

Meanwhile, the shrubbery has also been decimated which has added to farmers’ worries and straw, which was sold by growers for a pretty penny, has also turned black. As a result, the animals have no fodder and are not consuming the straw. This  has heightened worries that this year’s flour will be substandard.

On top of this, government teams are knocking on farmers’ doors to collect their outstanding dues.

Despite a mountain of issues that have plagued this year’s harvest, farmers in the district have taken to the field to cultivate what is remaining. Instead of using threshing machines and combine harvesters, they are cultivating the land using good old hard work.

There is a unique tradition in the district. Each farming family in the area claims a day of the week. On that day, all the families living in surrounding farms come to lend a hand in harvesting the crop. In return, they help each of the participating families in harvesting their land. With the loud beating of the drum in the background, the wheat crop is cultivated.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Bhakkar Deputy Commissioner Waqas Rasheed said that all the arrangements for wheat procurement have been completed. Gunny bags will be made available from April 26 while the process of buying wheat from growers will begin on May 2.

“Nearly 19,800 applications have been received and are being scrutinised by the land record centre,” he said. He gave assurances that gunny bags will be provided to farmers on merit after a complete investigation. He maintained that gunny bags have been transported to food centres across the district.

The deputy commissioner revealed that farmers will be able to obtain the payment from banks located near wheat procurement centres.

Staff from the food department will be on duty round-the-clock to facilitate farmers.

CM inaugurates wheat harvesting campaign

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar inaugurated the wheat harvesting campaign at 69/12-L Kamand, a village adjacent to Chichawatni. Special prayers were also made for farmers’ wellbeing.

Speaking at the ceremony, the chief minister said that a 20-bed hospital, a girls’ college and a 20 kilometre-long road will be constructed in Kamand village. He maintained that a comprehensive strategy has been evolved for southern Punjab and resources will be provided to facilitate the people. “Promises made to the farmers will be fulfilled,” he stressed.

The Punjab government will initiate an agriculture credit card scheme while farmers will be allocated more funds for the provision of water, he said, adding that nine percent more funds will be allocated for the irrigation sector. “Improving the irrigation sector will help to provide water to tail-end farmers,” he said.

Around Rs130 billion have been allocated for wheat procurement. Every single grain will be purchased by the government, he said. He revealed that the wheat procurement target will be increased if needed in order to facilitate farmers. He stated that under the new local government system, 22,000 panchayats will be formed throughout the province. He also said that sehat insaaf cards are gradually being introduced throughout the province.

Provincial ministers Malik Nauman Ahmad Langrial, Syed Samsaan Bukhari and others were also present at the occasion.