Wheat sowing likely to beat target

Punjab Agriculture Secretary Iftikhar Ali Sahu chaired a review meeting on the ongoing wheat cultivation at Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Agricultural University Multan, noting a sharp rise in the use of certified seed and improved input availability across the province.

According to a spokesperson, the secretary said wheat remains vital for national food security and Punjab has set a cultivation target of 16.5 million acres for the current season. He stated that wheat sowing was expected to exceed the target due to favourable field conditions and timely input supply. He observed that certified wheat seed was widely available in markets at Rs5,500 per bag and its use increased more than 25% compared to previous years.

Fertilisers were also available in ample quantity, with prices reported below officially fixed rates, he added. Sahu said adequate supply of canal water had been ensured to support the current crop sowing phase. Also, under the Kisan Card initiative, interest-free loans worth more than Rs100 billion have so far been provided to over 700,000 farmers.