By Abrar Saeed ISLAMABAD Nov 12 (INP-WealthPK): With a massive Rs15 billion subsidy package and provision of 400 metric tonnes of certified seeds by the National Agricultural Research Council (NARC), the ambitious wheat production target of 30 million tonnes during 2021-22 seems achievable. To give incentives to farmers to grow more wheat, the federal government had announced a Rs15 billion subsidy on inputs including seeds, fertilisers and pesticides, Federal Secretary Ministry of National Food Security and Research Muhammad Tahir Khursheed informed the National Assembly Standing Committee on Agriculture. He further informed that 50 per cent would be provided by the federal government, while the rest would be shared by provinces. Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam while chairing Wheat Review Committee meeting last week said that every year five to six million people are added to the country’s growing population which is increasing the total demand for wheat in the country. Through proper management of things and provision of high-quality seeds, proper utilisation of irrigation water and pesticides, and application of the right fertilisers at right time, the overall production of wheat can be increased significantly, Fakhar Imam explained. He said that the provinces were already directed to encourage farmers to bring maximum area under wheat cultivation. Wheat Enhancement Programme Officer at NARC Dr Sikander Shaheen said that the initiative of provision of high-quality and rust-resistant seed to the farmers was aimed at giving a boost to per hectare yield of wheat which would benefit both the government and farmers. Pakistan produces 3.1 tonnes of wheat per hectare, which is just 38 per cent of the 8.1 tonnes produced in France -- the world’s best productivity. Fakhar Imam said that they have proposed the wheat support price at Rs2,200 per 40kg and now the final decision on it is awaited from the federal cabinet, which would most likely come in its upcoming meeting. He recalled that the enhancement of wheat support price from Rs1,400 to Rs1,800 per 40 kilograms for 2020-21 crop had yielded positive results and helped in crossing the target of 27 million tonnes fixed for the year. According to the data compiled from the provincial agriculture departments during 2020-21, wheat production crossed the target of 27 million tonnes and achieved the 27.5 million tonnes mark.  Out of the total harvest, Punjab’s production was 20.9 million tonnes, Sindh 4.04 million tonnes, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 1.45 million tonnes, and Balochistan 1.15 million tonnes. For the upcoming season, Punjab was already asked to enhance its wheat production from 20 million tonnes in 2020-21 to 23 million tonnes during the upcoming crop season. Other wheat-growing provinces will be asked to help achieve the national wheat target of 30 million tonnes, the minister said, adding that the overall area under cultivation and per hectare yield needed to be increased at the same time. Dr Arif, working on developing wheat varieties at the University of Agriculture Peshawar, said that China’s hybrid wheat is an efficient solution to Pakistan’s wheat shortage. It has outstanding drought resistance and barren tolerance, which is exactly suitable for the soil and climate in Pakistan. He informed that Pakistan has started importing China’s hybrid wheat seed which resulted in giving a boost to the country’s wheat production by an average of 20 to 25 per cent. Beijing hybrid wheat is harvested in June. With outstanding drought resistance and barren tolerance, it is exactly suitable for the soil and climate in Pakistan. In 2020, it was reported that for the same planting area, Beijing hybrid wheat yields 20 per cent more than the best varieties in Pakistan, by sowing seeds that are 90 per cent less than the latter. National Food Security Commissioner Imtiaz Ali Gopang said the government would ensure that 100 per cent certified seed of high yielding varieties is provided to farmers besides provision of other inputs on subsidised rates to maximise the area under wheat cultivation. He sounded optimistic about achieving the set target of 30 million tonnes of wheat in the given situation where both federal and provincial governments are on their toes to facilitate the farmers.