ISLAMABAD: During the current Rabi season, wheat has been sown on more than 22.81 million acres of land in diverse crop-growing regions to meet staple food requirements as well as to maintain strategic reserves throughout the year.
According to Food Security Commissioner Imtiaz Ali Gopang, agricultural sowing targets for the current season (2023-24) were set at 22.22 million acres, with cultivation targets exceeding by 102.67%.
Crop planting has gained momentum across the country’s wheat-producing territories, with Punjab Province exceeding its wheat sowing targets and completing cultivation of more than 103.09 percent of areas against the set targets, he added.
The Punjab, the country’s largest wheat-producing province, has finished crop sowing on 16.48 million acres, compared to the fixed objective of 15.99 million acres for the current season.
Meanwhile, Sindh Province has accomplished 106.66% of its targets, with wheat cultivation finished across 3.16 million acres, compared to the planned target of 2.97 million acres, he added.
Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has accomplished nearly 100% of its wheat sowing targets, and crop cultivation has been completed over 1.93 million acres, compared to the established targets of 1.93 million acres for the current sowing season, he added.
According to the Provincial Crop Reporting Services, the Balochistan Province has met all of its wheat sowing targets for the current season.
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Balochistan’s wheat crop was grown on 1.24 million acres, he said, adding that the province was tasked with growing wheat on 1.33 million acres this season.
The Food Security Commissioner further stated that 729,000 metric tons of high-quality certified wheat seeds would be accessible to local farming communities during the current season, accounting for more than 46% of overall local demand.
In addition to seeds, the government was implementing several methods to ensure an abundant supply of vital agricultural inputs like as fertilizers, herbicides, and access to finance in order to meet the season’s predetermined targets, he noted.
