Wheat production in Punjab will surpass target

Ludhiana, Apr 8 (UNI) Despite inclement weather and frequent squall, the wheat production would surpass its target of 145 lakh quintals this year.

This was revealed during a state level meeting on wheat procurement at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) held here under the chairmanship of Dr Gurdial Singh, Joint Director at the Punjab Directorate of Agriculture.

Dr Singh said that the production target for wheat was set at 145 lakh metric tonne this year, but according to figures obtained from various agencies and PAU, at least 75,000 metric tonnes more wheat was expected over the last year. Though water logging in low lying areas due to excissive rain last month destroyed the crop, yet the production would be better than last year, he added.

Referring to the reasons for the good produce, Dr Singh said that required cold weather and humidity as well as distribution of good seed varieties to the tune of 4.47 lakh quintal by the certified seed agencies contributed to this success. Similarly, a collective effort from Department of Agriculture, Department of Cooperatives and PAU led to minimal use of insecticides and pesticides, he added.

Dr Singh said that last year, 2050 metric tonnes of insecticides or pesticides were used for wheat crop, which was reduced to 1720 metric tonnes this year.

He said that the state government would instruct agencies like Punseed and Markfed to provide farm literature brought out by PAU to the farmers at the time of sale of seed and other agricultural goods. Recommendations from the University would facilitate scientific farming in a cost-effective manner, he opined.

UNI