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ISLAMABAD, Nov 20 (APP):The wheat sowing across major crop-producing areas of the country is in full swing, with Punjab completing cultivation over 12.5 million acres against its target of 16.5 million acres for the ongoing Rabi season 2025–26.
The crop sowing target has been completed by 75 percent, whereas the sowing season is expected to continue for two more weeks, by which the target is likely to be achieved.
The weekly National Coordination meeting, which met here with Secretary Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFSR) Amir Mohyuddin on Thursday was also informed that special trends observed in Punjab include early and rapid sowing due to post-flood land availability.
The meeting reviewed progress on wheat seed movement, sowing activities across provinces and storage capacity planning ahead of the upcoming harvest season, said a press release.
The meeting brought together officials from Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Balochistan and food departments from all provinces, including Director General Agri Extension Sindh Dr. Asif Ali, Chairman NSDRA, and DG FSC&RD Muhammad Azam Khan.
While reviewing the movement of wheat seed across provinces, Punjab reported that all provincial wheat seed requirements for sowing had been met, with a total of 168,000 metric tonnes of private-sector seed and 196,000 metric tonnes of Punjab Seed Corporation seed successfully supplied.
The seed allocations included 23,000 metric tonnes to Balochistan, 82,000 metric tonnes to Sindh, 22,000 metric tonnes to KP and 41,000 metric tonnes retained in Punjab. Daily convoy tracking and check-post monitoring confirmed smooth movement without any hindrances or disruptions. FSC&RD validated these reports shared by the provincial government of Punjab.
The Ministry also noted a petition filed in the High Court by certain seed companies challenging existing seed movement SOPs. The federal government assured full legal support to address the matter.
The second agenda item of the meeting focused on provincial wheat sowing progress. Provinces reported strong and accelerated sowing momentum, supported by timely floodwater recession, easier land access, and improved availability of certified seed.
Furthermore, subsidies offered through the Punjab Seed Corporation (Rs. 500 per bag) and collaboration with private seed companies (Rs. 550 per bag, totaling Rs. 5,500 for certified seed) have led to 100% improvement in certified seed usage.
The Secretary MNFSR confirmed that media announcements regarding a 20% increase in sowing this year have positively influenced farmers, who have also responded well to the indicative National Wheat Policy price of Rs. 3,500 per 40 kg bag.
In Sindh, the DG Extension reported good availability of certified seed. A total of 533,000 hectares has been sown, marking the peak sowing window. By the end of November, 85% of the target is expected to be completed. Farmers have responded positively to both the indicative wheat price and federal-provided certified seed.
The KP reported a target of 781,000 hectares, with 461,000 hectares sown so far (59% progress). Sowing in sugarcane and rice areas has been slower; however, it is expected to accelerate by the end of November, as temperatures remain favorable and the sowing window extends until 15 December.
In Balochistan, most cultivation occurs in tube-well irrigated areas, with a few districts relying on canal irrigation, where sowing follows rice harvesting. Out of the 643,000-hectare target, approximately 85,000 hectares has been sown.
Tube-well irrigated and barani areas are progressing steadily, while canal-fed Nasirabad division is expected to pick up pace soon.
The Secretary MNFSR agreed that ongoing mapping of storage facilities will continue next week to facilitate informed future decisions regarding storage planning.
The KP also raised concerns regarding discrepancies between wheat flour price data collected by provincial departments and the Bureau of Statistics. The MNFSR acknowledged the issue and committed to engaging with BS to establish a transparent and verifiable pricing mechanism across provinces.