Punjab Sets 16.5 Million Acre Wheat Target — Iftikhar Ali Sahoo Urges Farmers to Act Now
The Punjab Sets 16.5 Million Acre Wheat Target has launched a comprehensive campaign to ensure maximum wheat cultivation across the province during the 2025 sowing season. Under the leadership of Secretary Agriculture Iftikhar Ali Sahoo, Punjab aims to achieve an ambitious 16.5 million-acre wheat cultivation target to strengthen national food security, support farmers, and boost rural income.
🌱 Punjab Agriculture Department Wheat Campaign 2025
The Punjab Agriculture Department plays a vital role in maintaining Pakistan’s food balance. With Punjab contributing over 70% of the country’s total wheat production, achieving the 2025 wheat target has become a top priority for the government.
Secretary Iftikhar Ali Sahoo has urged all stakeholders — including farmers, private companies, and agriculture institutions — to join hands in realizing this target.
“Every acre of land matters this season,” said Secretary Sahoo. “We need full cooperation from farmers, researchers, and the private sector to secure Pakistan’s wheat reserves and ensure food sustainability.”
🌾 2025 Wheat Cultivation Target – 16.5 Million Acres
The government has set a cultivation goal of 16.5 million acres across Punjab.
Currently, the Multan Division alone has achieved more than 1.8 million acres of cultivation, showcasing strong farmer participation in the campaign.
The department has directed all district agriculture officers to accelerate seed distribution, awareness campaigns, and technical assistance to farmers to meet the province-wide target.
💰 Punjab Wheat Procurement 2025 – Rs. 3,500 per 40kg
To motivate farmers, the government has fixed the official wheat procurement price at Rs. 3,500 per 40 kilograms.
This attractive support price ensures profitability for farmers while maintaining the national grain reserve at stable levels.
Procurement Highlights
| Policy | Details |
|---|---|
| Wheat Procurement Price | Rs. 3,500 per 40kg |
| Procurement Target | 6.2 Million Metric Tonnes |
| Certified Seed Price | Rs. 5,500 per bag |
| Wheat Sowing Target | 16.5 Million Acres |
🌻 Encouragement to Use Certified Wheat Seeds
Secretary Iftikhar Ali Sahoo emphasized the use of certified wheat seeds to increase per-acre yield and disease resistance.
The Punjab Seed Corporation and private companies have made certified varieties available at Rs. 5,500 per 50kg bag through authorized dealers.
Benefits of Certified Seed:
- Higher germination rate
- Improved resistance to rust and disease
- Better grain quality
- Enhanced per-acre yield
- Early maturity for next-season crops
🧪 Promoting Balanced Fertilizer Use
The ADD has urged farmers to adopt balanced fertilizer usage rather than relying heavily on urea alone.
Officials recommend the use of Nitrophos, DAP, and Potash in balanced ratios to ensure healthy crop growth and soil fertility.
“Balanced fertilizer use and soil testing can increase yield by 15–20%,” said an Agriculture Department spokesperson.
👨🌾 Farmer Convention Held in Multan
A major Farmer Convention on Wheat Production Technology was held in Multan, attended by thousands of farmers and agriculture professionals.
The event was organized jointly by the Punjab Agriculture Department and private sector partners such as fertilizer companies and machinery suppliers.
Notable Participants:
- Secretary Iftikhar Ali Sahoo
- Former MPAs Rana Ijaz Ahmad Noon & Iqbal Siraj
- Special Secretary (South Punjab) Sarfraz Hussain Maksi
- Deputy Commissioner Multan Waseem Hamid Sandhu
- Directors-General of Agriculture Extension and Research
- Kisan Ittehad representatives
- Academia and consultants from agriculture universities
Over 1,700 interns and 5,000 agriculture students are also assisting field officers across districts to promote awareness and technical guidance.
🚜 Private Sector Participation in Wheat Mission
Private agricultural companies displayed the latest fertilizer formulations, precision sowing machines, LED-based irrigation sensors, and drone-based pest control tools during the event.
This collaboration between government and private stakeholders marks a new era of technology-driven farming in Punjab.
Farmers achieving record yields were also awarded recognition certificates by the department.
🌍 Punjab’s Role in National Food Security
Punjab contributes the majority of Pakistan’s wheat stock — making its production crucial for national food stability.
In years of low yield or climatic challenges, the federal government depends on Punjab’s buffer reserves for interprovincial balance.
By ensuring sustainable cultivation practices, the ADD aims to:
- Reduce post-harvest losses
- Improve grain storage and procurement efficiency
- Enhance food security for 2025 and beyond
⚙️ Technology and Modern Farming Practices
The Agriculture Department is promoting mechanized sowing, laser land leveling, and drip irrigation systems to improve water use efficiency and reduce wastage.
Key Technologies Promoted:
- Zero-till drills for wheat sowing after rice
- Precision seeders and planters
- Soil nutrient testing kits
- Drone-based field monitoring
Farmers adopting these technologies are seeing higher yields and lower input costs — aligning with the government’s goal of climate-smart agriculture.
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📈 Government Support and Subsidy Programs
To help small farmers, Punjab is offering:
- Subsidized certified seed
- Fertilizer vouchers via Kisan Card
- Machinery leasing under the Farm Mechanization Program
- Training workshops for young farmers
Farmers can contact their District Agriculture Officer (DAO) or visit agriculture.punjab.gov.pk for updates and support schemes.
🧭 Call to Action for All Stakeholders
Secretary Iftikhar Ali Sahoo’s closing message highlighted unity and urgency:
“Let’s make Punjab’s wheat campaign a collective success story. Our farmers’ efforts today will decide Pakistan’s food security tomorrow.”
He also encouraged continuous coordination among:
- Government departments
- Fertilizer and machinery companies
- Agricultural universities
- Farmer unions
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🏡 Conclusion
The Punjab Agriculture Department’s Wheat Cultivation Drive 2025 is more than a campaign — it’s a vision for food security, farmer prosperity, and modern agriculture.
With a clear roadmap, government backing, and public-private collaboration, Punjab is on track to achieve record-breaking wheat production this season.
❓ FAQs Punjab Sets 16.5 Million Acre Wheat Target:
Q1: What is the wheat procurement price in Punjab for 2025?
The official rate is Rs. 3,500 per 40kg, ensuring fair compensation for farmers.
Q2: What is the wheat cultivation target for 2025?
Punjab aims to cultivate 16.5 million acres under wheat this year.
Q3: Who is leading the wheat campaign?
The initiative is led by Secretary Agriculture Iftikhar Ali Sahoo under the Punjab Agriculture Department.
Q4: How much certified seed costs per bag?
Certified wheat seed is priced at Rs. 5,500 per 50kg bag through approved dealers.
Q5: How can farmers get assistance or subsidies?
Farmers can apply via Kisan Card, visit local agriculture offices, or call the Punjab Agriculture Department helpline.
Q6: What is the total procurement target of wheat for 2025?
Punjab plans to procure 6.2 million metric tonnes of wheat this year.
