The Agriculture Department has advised farmers to ensure wheat cultivation is completed by November 20 to achieve better production outcomes.
A spokesperson for the Agriculture Department of Punjab emphasized that wheat is Pakistan’s most crucial food crop, with the province targeting a production goal of 10.65 million acres this year. He highlighted that Punjab’s climate and soil are ideally suited for wheat farming, offering significant potential to increase per-acre yields.
To reduce farmers’ production costs, the government has lowered the price of certified wheat seed from Rs 6,500 to Rs 5,500 per bag. Additionally, the federal and provincial governments have set the wheat support price at Rs 3,500 per 40 kg.
The spokesperson mentioned that the recommended wheat varieties for irrigated areas include Sawera-24, Falak-24, Champion, Urooj-22, Nishan-21, Dilkash-20, Subhani-21, MH-21, Durum-2021, Sadiq-21, Nawab-21, NARC Super, Akbar-19, Bhakkar Star-19, Ghazi-19, Rehbar-21, Fakhar Bhakkar-17, Anaaj-17, Ujala-16, Zincol-16, Borlaug-16, Johar-16, and Faisalabad-2008.
He advised farmers to use certified, disease-free seeds with a germination rate of at least 85 percent, and noted that free seed-grading services are available at Agriculture Extension offices across Punjab.
The spokesperson stressed that the ideal wheat sowing window is from November 1 to 20. According to research from the Agriculture Extension and Adaptive Research wings, wheat sown after November 20 loses nearly one percent of yield per day, approximately 15 to 20 kg per acre. Sowing after December could lead to a production loss of up to 50 percent, he warned.
Farmers are urged to complete sowing by November 20. For sowing between November 21 and December 15, the seed rate should be increased to 60 kg per acre due to lower temperatures that slow germination and reduce tillering. A higher seed rate will also help control weed growth.
Certified seeds from Punjab Seed Corporation and private seed companies are readily available across the province. The spokesperson also recommended that farmers treat seeds using a rotating drum or plastic bag method to ensure each grain is coated with fungicide.
Well-prepared and leveled fields are critical for good germination. Farmers are advised to plough fields at 2-3 day intervals to destroy weeds and make soil nutrients more available. Laser leveling and proper rauni irrigation before sowing can enhance results, and early-morning ploughing followed by repeated harrowing helps preserve soil moisture.
The spokesperson also suggested that using well-decomposed farmyard manure (8 to 10 tons per acre) would improve soil fertility. In its absence, green manuring with guar, jantar, or other legumes should be incorporated at flowering, at least two months before wheat sowing.
By adopting approved wheat varieties and using certified seeds, farmers can increase wheat production by up to 20 percent, ultimately contributing to the country’s food security.