Standing crops damaged by hailstorms, rain

Wheat and cotton crops on 16,000 acres of land affected

MULTAN:

Secretary Agriculture South Punjab Saqib Ali Ateel said that around 16,000 acres of standing crops were affected by poor weather in Layyah district. He expressed these views during a visit to Layyah, where he assessed the impact of recent rains, wind and hailstorms on various crops and vegetables, including wheat.

He directed the field staff to complete a survey of losses caused by rain and to submit a report as early as possible. He further added that the wheat crop has now entered an important stage in its growth and directed field formations to remain present in the field to guide farmers. The Secretary said that the sowing of other Kharif crops, including cotton and mango orchards, entered a key phase across South Punjab and added that field formations need to work diligently.

Ateel said that the next generation could be saved from the damage of climate change by planting trees, adding that growers suffer a great deal and their hard work is often wasted due to climate change. The Punjab government was providing financial protection to registered farmers under the insurance scheme.

Secretary Agriculture further added that serious steps were being taken to increase cotton cultivation and production, with a special insurance policy for cotton crops launched to ensure profit for farmers. He ordered field formations to convince farmers to increase cultivation of cotton crops and spread awareness about its importance so that cotton could be cultivated across the maximum possible area.

Meanwhile, Secretary Agriculture South Punjab Saqib Ali Ateel chaired a meeting reviewing the performance of the Agriculture department and inspected the bio lab.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, March 27^th, 2023.