ISLAMABAD, Jan 28: Recent winter rains are expected to bring substantial benefits to Rabi crops across Punjab, particularly wheat and oilseeds, amidst reduced surface water availability due to routine canal closures.
Agricultural and irrigation experts indicate that the rainfall will enhance soil moisture, fostering healthy crop growth during this critical period.
The wheat crop, sown over 1.65 million acres in Punjab, is anticipated to produce approximately 20 million tons of the cereal this year. Alongside, vast areas have been cultivated with oilseeds, such as rapeseed, mustard, and sunflower, as well as pulses like gram.
“These rains typically lower the demand for artificial irrigation. A rainfall of three to four millimetres can equate to one saved irrigation for a farmer,” explained Dr. Ghulam Zakir Hassan Sial, Director of the Irrigation Research Institute (IRI), Punjab.
Discussing with Wealth Pakistan, Dr. Sial noted that winter rains are a boon for wheat farmers in barani areas, crucially impacting the national food supply. The current winter rainfall in the Thal districts, including Mianwali, Bhakkar, Layyah, Muzaffargarh, Khushab, Sargodha, and Jhang, has revitalized the region’s dry agriculture.
“Even in canal-commanded regions of Punjab, rains have been pivotal in improving water availability for agriculture following an extended dry period,” he commented.
Dr. Sial highlighted that in the Pothohar region, two to three rainy spells in January and February are vital for achieving good yields. However, amid dry conditions, 21 major canals under Tarbela and Mangla commands have been closed since December 26, significantly reducing water availability for agriculture.
Agriculture experts describe winter rains as a tonic for Rabi crops, especially wheat, as they lower temperatures and supply natural nutrients, enhancing overall output. “A reduction in smog due to rain directly improves photosynthesis in plants by alleviating environmental stressors that hinder their energy production,” stated Dr. Anjum Ali Buttar, a consultant at the Punjab Agriculture Department.
In conversation with Wealth Pakistan, Dr. Buttar explained that smoggy conditions in Punjab during November and December hindered plant growth by blocking sunlight and disrupting metabolic processes, significantly lowering photosynthetic rates.
Dr. Buttar further noted that rainfall aids in natural nitrogen fertilization by dissolving atmospheric nitrogen oxides into nitrates and ammonium in the soil, making them readily available for plant uptake.
“This process can considerably reduce the need for chemical fertilizers, thereby lowering production costs for farmers,” he noted. He further stressed that wheat cultivation thrives in a cool climate with moderate rainfall, with ideal winter temperatures ranging from 10°C to 15°C and optimal summer temperatures for crop maturity between 21°C and 26°C.
“Thanks to the favourable weather conditions, the wheat crop in Punjab is faring well, bringing hope for a robust harvest,” he concluded.
