Agriculture experts have urged farmers-particularly those in rain-fed (Barani) regions-to allocate the maximum possible area of their land for wheat cultivation this season, as the Punjab government’s incentive-backed plan has made wheat farming more profitable than ever before.
A spokesperson for the Agriculture (Extension) Department highlighted that wheat is not only the backbone of the national food basket but also a key driver of rural economic stability.
The Punjab government has set an ambitious target of 16.5 million acres for wheat cultivation this year to ensure both food security and economic resilience.
In line with the directives of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the provincial government has partnered with the private sector to fix the wheat support price at Rs. 3,500 per 40 kg, guaranteeing farmers a profitable return on their harvest. A special support package is also expected to be announced soon to further encourage wheat cultivation.
“With a record support price, reduced input costs, and an upcoming relief package, wheat offers farmers a secure and rewarding opportunity amid rising food prices and growing national demand,” the spokesperson added.
In another major relief, Punjab Agriculture Minister Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani has successfully negotiated with seed companies to reduce the price of certified wheat seed from Rs. 6,500 to Rs. 5,500 per 50-kg bag, significantly lowering production costs and enabling farmers to expand cultivation with greater confidence.
The spokesperson emphasized that the government’s timely decisions have restored the profitability of wheat, giving farmers every reason to prioritize it over other crops this season. He encouraged farmers in arid zones to begin land preparation immediately and complete sowing by November 15 to ensure optimal yields. The Agriculture Department’s technical experts are available across all districts to guide farmers on seed treatment, soil preparation, and the proper use of fertilizers and pesticides.
He also stressed the importance of using approved, high-yielding wheat varieties and certified seed to achieve better outcomes. In a final advisory, Barani farmers were urged to start field preparation without delay and to apply well-decomposed organic manure before sowing to enhance soil fertility and crop health.
For rainfall zones, he advised to use approved seed varieties including Sheraz-23, Markaz-19, MA-21, Nishan-21, Urooj-22, Barani-17, Fateh Jang-16 and Pakistan-13.
He encouraged the farmers of Rajanpur, Layyah, Dera Ghazi Khan (DG Khan), Muzaffargarh, Mianwali, Bhakkar, Khushab, Jund, Pindi Ghep, Chakwal, Tala Gang and Pind Dadan Khan, Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Sohawa, Narowal, Gujrat, Kharian and Shakargarh to use 40-50 kg certified seed per acre to achieve higher yields. However, they should ensure before cultivation that seed’s germination rate is not below 85 percent, he added.
The spokesman also recommended treating seed before sowing with Thiophanate Methyl (2-2.5 grams) or Imidacloprid + Tebuconazole (2 ml per kg seed) to protect the crop from major diseases such as loose smut, Karnal bunt, wheat blast and foot rot.