Paddy cultivated over 6.7m acres in Punjab

Paddy cultivation has reached an impressive 6.7 million acres in Punjab during the current season, according to Shakeel Ahmad Mian, Secretary of Agriculture in Punjab. This significant figure prompted the provincial government to intensify efforts for efficient harvesting, timely wheat sowing post-paddy, and boosting rice exports.

At a meeting of the Provincial Rice Management Committee, Shakeel Ahmad Mian emphasized the importance of coordinated measures to enhance the production, quality, and export potential of Punjab's iconic Basmati rice. He directed the relevant officials to offer farmers technical guidance on paddy harvesting and ensure the safe handling of agricultural pesticides during the pre-harvest interval.

Furthermore, the secretary urged for the increased adoption of Kubota and modern harvesters to expedite the paddy harvesting process. In relation to wheat cultivation following paddy, Shakeel Ahmad Mian highlighted that the Punjab government had provided 10,000 super seeders to farmers at subsidized rates, encouraging their use over traditional methods to discourage the burning of crop residues and to facilitate timely wheat cultivation.

The secretary also called upon the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan to take a more proactive approach in expanding international rice market access and increasing the nation's rice export volume.