By Muhammad Luqman
Punjab wheat sowing 2025 is picking up speed as farmers rush to plant before the end of November. The clock is ticking, with the optimal sowing window set to close on November 30.
“The conditions in the rain-fed areas are very favorable this year thanks to enough soil moisture left by the September floods,” Dr. Anjum Ali Buttar, a consultant at the Punjab Agriculture Department, told this reporter.
So far, wheat has been planted on more than 3 million acres. Sowing is moving fastest in Rawalpindi and DG Khan divisions, while central Punjab is a bit slower.
Punjab has set an ambitious target of 16.5 million acres for the 2025–26 wheat season. The recommended varieties this year include Akbar-2019, Dilkash-2020, Fakhar-e-Bhakkar, Aruj-2022, Nishan, Pakistan-2013, Faisalabad-2008, MH-2021, MA-2021, Subhani-2020, and Wafaq-2023.
Dr. Buttar, who also served as the department’s former director general, is hopeful. “We expect wheat to cover 95 percent of the target area by November 30,” he said.
Rain-Fed Areas Boost Wheat Planting This Season
Agricultural inputs are not a concern this season. The Punjab Seed Corporation and private companies have about 100,000 bags of certified wheat seed ready for farmers.
The government is pitching in as well. Under its post-flood relief package, Punjab is providing all necessary support, including interest-free loans, to help farmers plant winter crops.
Certified Seed Supply and Government Support for Farmers
The recent floods have left a silver lining, according to weather experts.
“Floodwaters not only helped the soil retain moisture but also deposited alluvial material rich in nutrients, making the land more fertile,” said Muhammad Riaz, former director general of the Pakistan Meteorological Department.
However, he warned that areas where floodwaters stayed stagnant for a long time have suffered some soil damage due to sand deposits.
“Overall, the improved soil and favorable weather should help farmers get a strong wheat crop this year,” Riaz added. He recalled that the floods of 2022 had also resulted in a bumper wheat harvest.
Floods Leave Fertile Soil, But Some Areas Damaged
Despite the optimism, farmers are wary about delays, especially in sugarcane-growing areas.
“Any hold-up in harvesting sugarcane because of late purchases by sugar mills can be disastrous,” said Akhtar Farooq Mayo, Chief Organizer of Kissan Board Pakistan.
The federal government recently announced that the sugarcane crushing season will start on November 15 nationwide.
Sugarcane Delays Could Affect Wheat Harvest
“But vague statements from the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association about the actual start date are a real worry,” Mayo said. He urged both the federal and Punjab governments to ensure the season starts on time and that farmers are paid promptly.
“Sugar mills should be warned firmly that any delay in starting the crushing season will lead to strict penalties,” he emphasized.
Author Profile
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Muhammad Luqman is an experienced journalist specializing in agriculture, livestock, and rural development in Pakistan.
He writes insightful reports on government initiatives, economic potential, and policy impacts in the agriculture and livestock sectors, highlighting how local programs shape livelihoods and boost national and international markets.
