The proposed 'Grow More Wheat' campaign aimed at guiding farmers for using a 'progressive' approach to help government achieving 20.15 million tonnes production target of the commodity set for Rabi 2004-05 would formally be inaugurated on Monday. Federal Food Minister Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan would be the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony at National Agriculture Research Center (NARC) here.
The government, under the campaign, would arrange number of activities throughout the country to convince the farmers for adopting progressive approach to meet the target.
These activities include seminars, workshops, training courses and placement of advertisement in electronic and print media to guide farmers about the use of modern farming techniques.
A major thrust in the campaign would be at convincing the farmers to use certified seed approved by provincial food departments and pesticides and herbicides to produce better results.
The federal government has already put 21 more herbicides on generic list on October 14 this year in a bid to reduce the prices of an important agricultural input.
Another initiative under the campaign would be to compel farmers starting early sowing especially in the arid areas to help enhance the per acre yield.
There is a mark (of about 20 maund) difference in the per acre yield in irrigated and arid areas, especially in Sindh and authorities are convinced that this gap can be marginalised by early sowing.
The government is in troubled waters vis-à-vis achievement of wheat production target after the projection of 48 percent less water availability for the crop for coming Rabi and being failed in the commencement of sugarcane crushing from scheduled deadline.