Rains likely to affect agricultural production target – Business & Economy

A senior official of the Ministry of Food Security and Research (MNFS&R) said the country may face significant challenges in meeting the 3.5 per cent agriculture growth target set for 2023-24, as the ongoing rains have affected crops including wheat. It has adversely affected important crops.

Speaking to Business Recorder, a senior official of the said ministry said that the wheat production target of 32.2 million tonnes for the current season is at high risk, as the ongoing rains have delayed harvesting and damaged standing crops. has delivered

The rains will also adversely affect other rabi crops, including oilseeds like mustard and canola, as well as gram, which are already adversely affected by prolonged drought in the country, the official said. However, a spell of rains will help increase the yield of the sugarcane crop.

The Federal Committee for Agriculture (FCA) has set a wheat production target of 32.2 million tonnes from 8.9 million hectares of land for Rabi season 2023-2024.

The committee also set production targets for other Rabi crops, including gram 4.1 million tons, potato 60330 thousand tons, onion 2494 thousand tons and tomato 666 thousand tons.

The official said the dry weather initially affected the wheat crop negatively, especially in the rainfed areas that produce 10 percent of the total wheat production.

He added that the crop was ready for harvesting in some parts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but the current rains delayed it.

Further rains damaged standing crops, adversely affecting the yield and quality of the wheat crop, the season’s main cash crop and an important source of staple food for the local population.

Khalid Khokhar, representative of Pakistan Kisan Ittehad, told the Business Recorder that the current spell will also have a negative impact on mango production in the country. Due to the long spell, mangoes face significant challenges from several diseases, which can adversely affect yield.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, more rain, wind and thunder are predicted during this week.

According to the Meteorological Department, another strong westerly wave is likely to enter the western parts of the country on April 16 (night), which will cover most of Balochistan on April 17 and reach the upper parts of the country on April 18. will spread

Wind, hail and lightning can damage standing crops, loose structures such as electricity poles, vehicles and solar panels during this period. Additionally, farmers have been advised to manage their crop keeping in view the climatic conditions especially in the wheat growing areas.