May 4, 2005

Pakistan to have record wheat output this year

Pakistan is forecast to produce a record crop of more than 21.4 million tonnes of wheat this year. This surpasses the previous target of 20.2 million tonnes and last year's output of 19.5 million tonnes.

Qadir Bux Baloch, agriculture development commissioner at the Ministry of Agriculture said timely rainfall and easy availability of loans and fertilizers have led to the increased wheat output.

At the start of this crop year, the government increased the support price for wheat from PKR350 per 40 kg previously to PKR400, while timely monsoon rains helped reduce water shortage from 50 percent to 28 percent.

Per-acre yields are at currently at 28 maund (1,036 kg) per acre compared with 25 maund (925 kg) per acre last year.

Baloch added that with a bumper crop of wheat, there will be no need for imports this year. After the domestic demand of around 20.5 million tonnes is met, there will be reserves of 1.0 to 1.5 million tonnes.