August 8, 2011

Pakistan's 2011 wheat output to grow by 3.24%

Pakistan's wheat harvest for the current fiscal year of 2011-12 is aimed to increase by 3.24% over last fiscal year's output (2010-11).

As much as 25 million tonnes of wheat would be produced during the current fiscal year against the actual production of 24,214 million tonnes during last year, an official document revealed.

Although the government had set target of 25 million wheat production during 2010-11 but achieved 24.214 million due to devastating floods, showing negative growth of 3.1% against the fixed target.

Despite unfavourable circumstances, wheat production during 2010-11 witnessed increase of 3.9% when compared to the production of 23.310 million tonnes in 2009-10, the document added.

In addition area for production of wheat for year 2010-11 had been set at 9.045 million hectares but the crop was cultivated on 8.804 million hectares.

Wheat is the leading food grain of the country and being staple diet of the people, it occupies a central position in formulation of agriculture policies, the document said adding wheat contributes 14.4% to the value added in agriculture and 3.1% to GDP.

The production of corn is expected to grow by 9.4% from the production of 3.341 million tonnes in 2010-11 to 3.656 million tonnes in 2011-12.