Steps stressed to meet wheat purchase target

LAHORE

Recent rains adversely affected wheat, gram and mango crops while some more rains are expected in May which will further aggravate farmers’ problems. 

These views were expressed by the participants at Jang Economic Session on ‘Impact of rains on gains’ here on Wednesday. Panelists were Khaqan Baber, Rabia Sultan, Ch Aslam, Sarfraz Khan and Farah Naz Naqvi while the session was hosted by Sikindar Lodhi.

Khaqan Baber said agriculture is at the mercy of climate. He said effects of global warming or greenhouse effect are not visible immediately while fluctuations in weather are negatively affecting the agriculture sector. He said weather fluctuates from north to south in Pakistan due to which early harvesting is observed in Sindh. He said recent rains have affected the harvested crop of south Punjab which will affect its trades and price. He believed the loss to crops with the recent rains will not huge due to limited rainfall and duration. He said poor water storage system affecting the agriculture of Pakistan.

Rabia Sultan said in recent rain wheat in open fields was mainly damaged due to unavailability of storage houses and godowns. She said the government wheat procurement target is 26 million out of which 19.5 million from Punjab is likely to miss due to improper arrangements. She termed the recent rain a warning from nature and suggested adoption of necessary arrangements. She believed that the farming has become difficult due to climate change and research is required to reduce its impact.

Ch Aslam said three rain systems were predicted in April while rain system in the end of April will limit to Potohar region only in which thunderstorms and hailstorms are expected. So that the farmers should adopt precautionary measures for crops, he said, adding light rains in North region would not damage crops.

Sarfraz Khan said weather patterns are changing due to global warming. He said hailstorm affected wheat crop while water flooded fields as a result flour mills are deducting one kg extra wheat on each 50 kg wheat. He said recent rains are not good omen. Farah Naz Naqvi said agriculture plays an important role in Pakistan’s economy so the government should make necessary arrangements to protect it from climate change effects. She said research on climate change is need of the hour for which facilities to the agriculture universities should be increased. She called for adopting modern technology of watering to crop to achieve better results.