The Punjab government has directed the agriculture department and extension services to formulate its six-month long wheat sowing, growing and maturing pattern in view of 34 percent shortage of ground water for the coming Rabi crops.
Punjab Irrigation Consultant M H Siddiquie told Business Recorder that the Indus River System Authority which apportions and distributes water among the four provinces has conveyed that there would be at least 34 percent shortage of irrigation water during 2008-09, therefore, the provinces should prepare their Rabi production plans in light of the water situation.
He said the irrigation department has asked the agriculture department to chalk out its schedule of releasing water in canals from October 1, 2008 to maximise economical use of the available water resources.
He said since there are different days of sowing of wheat, grams and other Rabi crops in upper, central and southern Punjab, therefore the closure and opening of canals should be in light of the water requirements of the respective areas.
Wheat, the staple diet in Pakistan, occupies a central position in agriculture policies as it contributes 12.5 percent of the value addition in agriculture and 2.9 percent to GDP Punjab which produced 80 percent of total wheat production of the country has set a target of 20 million tons wheat production for 2008-09.
It is sown over 15.8 million acres in cotton zone, central/mixed zone and rice zone, irrigated and rain fed zones. The cotton zone is spread over 6.719 million acres in Sahiwal, Khanewal, Vehari, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Layyah, D G Khan, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan.
Agriculture Extension Services Director General Dr Anjum Ali told Business Recorder that despite water shortage, 20 million tons wheat production target was achievable provided there was satisfactory rainfall and the climate and temperature was conducive at the maturity stage.
He said since the government has increased the support price for next year's wheat crop and extension services are lined up, wheat production could be enhanced by increasing per acre yield which is stagnant at 26.4 maund per acre in Pakistan. However some agroeconomists have opined that the quality of extension services determined the per acre yield. Pakistan has the potential to produce 6.8 tons of wheat per hectare. Whereas the current national average is 2.4 tons per hectare.
They say that extension services provided in Punjab for wheat are 52 percent of the global best. It is even lower than the world average of 70 percent. These services need immediate improvement, as the problem on delivery of service and agriculture inputs is not related to the absence of capacity or capability, but lack of accountability and black marketing of the fertilisers.
They said that the extension staff should convince farmers to sow wheat on time. Wheat sowing after November 20 can cause a reduction of 15 to 20 kg per acre yield after each subsequent day. They suggested that the Punjab government should make efforts for early start of sugarcane crushing season that delays wheat sowing in some of the best irrigated regions. Agricultural extension services should ensure that certified seed is available to farmers at reasonable prices.