Assistant Director Agriculture Extension Department Faisalabad, Dr. Khalid Iqbal has highlighted the optimal sowing time for sunflower cultivation in the divisions of Faisalabad, Sahiwal, and Sargodha until February 15. For Southern Punjab regions like Multan, Bahawalpur, and DG Khan, the suitable time extends till February 10, whereas for Lahore, Gujranwala, and Rawalpindi divisions, it remains until the end of February. Farmers are advised to focus on cultivating sunflowers during these days, allowing them to harvest the crop in 110 to 120 days. Dr. Khalid Iqbal informed that in terms of sunflower production, Russia leads with 9.69 million metric tons, followed by Ukraine with 8.67 million metric tons, and Pakistan ranks 17th with 0.4 million metric tons. Emphasizing the economic impact, he pointed out that the cultivation of sunflower and other oilseed crops would play a vital role in saving Pakistan's foreign exchange, which currently incurs an annual expenditure of over Rs. 350 billion.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)