Punjab government is utilising all its resources to achieve the wheat cultivation target of 105.82 million acres in order to achieve highest production.
According to Punjab Agriculture Information Department, two wheat seed varieties AS-2002 and Ufaq-2002 are suitable and recommended in irrigated areas of the province. Uqab-2000, Pasban-90 and Inqlab-91 have been approved for the areas of Central and Southern irrigated areas, while Bhawalpur-2000, Punjnad-1 and Manthar 2003 have been recommended for only Southern Punjab irrigated areas. Bhakkar-2002 wheat seed variety is recommended for Thal and Southern Punjab, while SH-2002 is approved for Central Punjab.
Agri experts explained that only four wheat seed varieties SA-2002, Inqulab-91, Bhawalpur-2000 and Manthar-2003 are late sowing varieties, which would be useful up to December 15 for better yield.
Sources disclosed that Punjab government had taken up the challenge to increase per acre yield with the start of wheat showing season and established Agriculture Help Line at toll free No 0800-15000 and launched one-window operation for loan distribution.
Agriculture department was also concentrating on achieving maximum wheat production in the province, and the arrangements had been finalised to achieve the wheat cultivation target of 15.82 million acres against 15.32 million acres of the last year, sources added.
The production target has been fixed as 17.66 million tonnes against the last year's 16.09 million tonnes. The average per acre target has been fixed as 29.89 maund against the last year's 28.1 maund per acre.
Timely sowing of wheat, selection of quality seed, proper use of fertilisers and particularly use of feticides can play an important role in increasing wheat production.