The Agriculture Department has informed farmers that the suitable time for wheat sowing in rainfed areas has begun and advised them to complete the sowing of approved seed varieties by November 20 for optimum yields.

In a statement received by WealthPK, the Agriculture Department spokesman said that suitable time for sowing in irrigated areas will begin on November 1 and continue till the month’s end.

The government is providing high-yielding seed varieties at a low price, subsidized by Rs 1,200 per acre, he said and advised farmers to sow approved varieties in rain-fed (Baraani) areas, including Markaz-19, Urooj-22, Baraani-17, Pakistan-13, Fateh Jang-16, Ehsan-16, and MA-21.

The spokesman advised farmers to sow seeds with germination strength not below 85% at the rate of 40 to 50 kg per acre. The seeds should be treated with some anti-fungus pesticide after consulting local officials, he added.

The field should be ploughed twice before sowing and a traditional land-leveller (Suhaga) should be applied to level the field and uproot weeds. It will also help bring moist soil to the surface, and sowing should be done by a drill, he said.

He recommended that owners of wheat fields in low-rain areas like Rajanpur, Layyah, Dera Ghazi Khan, Muzaffargarh, Mianwali, Jand, Pindi Ghaib, and Khushab should get a bag of Urea and half a bag of sulphate of potash (SOP) per acre at the sowing time.

In the areas known for receiving medium-level rain, including Chakwal, Talagang, and Pind Dadan Khan, the farmers should get 1.25 bags of Di-ammonium Phosphate (DAP), 1.25 bags of Urea and half-bag of SOP at the time of sowing. 

The farmers in high rain areas, including Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Narowal, Sohawa, Gujrat, Kharian and Shakkargarh should get 1.5 bags of DAP, 1.5 bags of Urea, and a bag of SOP per acre at the time of sowing.

Farmers from the arid zone should also pay attention to the removal of weeds. After germination, they should remove weeds by hand hoeing and then subject the field to drying, the spokesman said.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk