Optimistic outlook for wheat crop as sowing surpasses targets

Sowing targets were set at 22.23 million acres and have been 99.63% achieved

APP December 23, 2023

The meeting was informed that a govt-to-govt deal with Russia was expected to be finalised in July for import of one million tons of wheat. Photo: file

ISLAMABAD:

The Rabi season has witnessed the sowing of the wheat crop across more than 22.14 million acres of land in various crop-growing regions, aiming to fulfil staple food requirements and maintain strategic reserves throughout the year.

Food Security Commissioner, Imtiaz Ali Gopang, announced on Friday that the crop sowing targets for the current season (2023-24) were set at 22.23 million acres, and they have been achieved by 99.63%.

The wheat sowing campaign is in full swing across the country’s wheat-producing areas. Punjab, being the largest wheat-producing province, has surpassed its sowing targets, completing cultivation over 16.48 million acres compared to the fixed targets of 16.00 million acres for the current season.

In Sindh, 94.76% of its targets have been achieved, with wheat cultivation completed over 2.82 million acres against the set targets of 2.97 million acres. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has achieved 98.72% of its set targets, with wheat cultivation completed over 1.90 million acres compared to the set targets of 1.93 million acres.

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According to the Provincial Crop Reporting Services, Balochistan Province has completed wheat cultivation over 0.94 million acres, with the province assigned a target of growing wheat over 1.33 million acres during the current season.

The food security commissioner stated that approximately 729,000 metric tonnes of high-quality certified wheat seeds would be available to local farming communities during the current season, representing over 46% of the total local demand.

In addition to seeds, the government is implementing various strategies to ensure an ample supply of essential agricultural inputs such as fertilisers, pesticides, and access to finance to achieve the fixed targets of the season.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 23^rd , 2023.

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