Farmers have been directed by the agriculture department to ready their lands for the cultivation of canola from the middle of September for a bumper crop.

According to an official from the Punjab Department of Agriculture (Extension), canola cultivation is important for meeting the domestic needs of oil consumption. He said that it is an important “cash crop” that can give benefits to both the farmers and consumers.

“The time to cultivate canola for the best possible yield is from mid-September to October. This is the reason that directions have been given to farmers to prepare their lands for its cultivation,” he explained.

He further said that farmers have been told to cultivate the “approved varieties” of canola. Approved varieties included Rainbow, Biola-401, Biola-43, Abaseen, Bulbal, Canola Raya, Pacola, among others.

As for the method of cultivatioCredit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPkn, he said that farmers have been advised to use 1.5 to 2 kg of canola seed per acre. That should then be complemented with the use of a bag of DAP and half bag of Urea fertilizer at the time of sowing.

He further said that farmers have been told to keep 1.5 feet between the rows of canola seed to be sowed. “This distance will allow for the weeds and other shrubs to be removed easily,” he said

“As for more explained guidance, farmers should visit nearest agriculture office at any time during the time of cultivation on week days during working hours to get the necessary information,” he added.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk