LAHORE (March 17 2004): The wheat target fixed by the government will be achieved as the crop is in good condition, and weather conditions are most conducive, said Punjab Agriculture Minister Arshad Khan Lodhi.

He was addressing the participants of Wheat Management Group at the Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, according to a press release issued here on Tuesday.

Secretary Agriculture Arif Nadeem and Director General Agriculture (Research), Ch Abdul Ghaffar, representatives of farmers and agriculture bodies and agri scientists were also present at the meeting.

The minister was informed that most of the crop was sown at the optimum time in November and that most farmers had used quality seeds to ensure better germination.

Availability of water also remained satisfactory. Participants were also told that by using herbicides, better weed control had been obtained.

A progressive farmer pointed out that less area had been sown in Lodhran this year due to high cotton rates in the market and the growing interest of farmers in sunflower crop. In Narowal, better weed control had been obtained this year, said another farmer.

The secretary agriculture urged agri researchers to disseminate the production technology of other crops also, apart from the major ones, to help all farmers raise their production and income.

Courtesy Business Recorder