Cotton growers in the Punjab have been re-warned to keep an eye on weather predictions on the electronic and print media before irrigating their fields. The re-warning comes because the Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast more rains in days to come.
In an advisory on Monday, the Punjab Agriculture Department urged the growers to never let rain water remain stagnant in their fields for more than 24 hours and drain it soon after the rain stops. "It would be better if this water were shifted to a nearby sugarcane, paddy or fodder field. If this water cannot be shifted to any other place, a ditch should be then dug at one corner of the field measuring four feet deep and two feet wide and the surplus water can be stored in it," the advisory said. It also suggested that two percent urea solution be sprayed on crops after draining the water. "The urea spray should be repeated after 10 days, if needed. Pest scouting and weed eradication should also be ensured," it added.