Over 1.70 million acres of land would be brought under cultivation of wheat crop during Rabi season in Punjab. Official sources told Business Recorder here on Thursday. In order to attain the fixed target of wheat crop, the Agriculture department has finalised necessary arrangements in the province, sources added.
The Agriculture department would provide full assistance and guidance to the wheat growers for attaining better output of the crop. The government has evolved a special programme for enhancing the wheat crop acreage and increasing the per acre yield in the province. The step has been taken for making successful "Grow More" wheat drive in the Punjab. Under the programme special attention was being accorded on bringing government land under wheat crop for attaining yielding results.
In addition, the farmers' hubs were being established at union council level with the concept of imparting training to the farmers. In Sialkot district, wheat would be cultivated over 5.39 lakh acres of land. The tehsil wise break-up of wheat cultivation is as in Daska 1.81 lakh acres, 75,000 acres in Sambrial, 1.48 lakh acres Pasrur and 1.35 lakh acres in Sialkot tehsils of the district.
The Agriculture department has initiated "Farmers Training Programme" in 1431 villages of Sialkot district aimed at introducing latest wheat production techniques among the growers to promote grow more wheat campaign.
Apart from this, special training would also be given about the utilisation of pesticides, fertilisers, natural cultivation techniques and seeds at village level in Sialkot. As many as 150 "Farmer Hubs" were being set up at union council level in Sialkot, Daska, Pasrur and Sambrial tehsils of the district.
As many as 45 teams of agriculture department were visiting village to village for creating awareness about the proper use of fertiliser, irrigation and pesticides among the wheat growers of the district.
Besides, under one widow operation Zarai Taraqiati Bank would start loaning to the growers for the purchase of pesticides and fertilisers in Sialkot, Daska and Pasrur tehsils of Sialkot district. Special step has also been taken for checking the sale of fake and substandard pesticides and fertiliser in Sialkot, Daska and Pasrur tehsils of the district.
The Sialkot district government has adopted comprehensive measures for ensuring the provision of quality pesticides and fertilisers to the wheat growers in the district, sources added.