LAHORE, Feb 25: The recent rains in the Punjab might have helped wheat crop cross the sprouting stage smoothly.

A Punjab Agriculture Department official says for three days, intermittent rain continued in both barani (rain-fed) and irrigated areas of the province. The rains were, however, insufficient to end the drought condition, but they were enough to make a difference for the wheat crop.

“There is no denying the fact that the recent wet spell was a blessing, but it would be too early to calculate its effect on the yield,” says a member of the Farmers Associates of Pakistan (FAP).

Wheat needed another watering at the grain formation stage which was only two weeks away. That watering would be as crucial for determining the final production as was the recent one. Once again, rain would be the only hope given 73 per cent water shortage in the country, he claimed.

Temperatures during March would also play a crucial role; the crop would benefit if it did not rise above 32 C. The crop could still face an uncertain future if March became hotter and there was no rain, he said.

Sporadic rains would be required throughout March, claimed a farmer from the suburbs of Lahore. Around 60 per cent to 62 per cent wheat was sown in time in the province, while the rest fell in the late-sowing category. The late crop would reach the sprouting stage during March and the in-time sown crop in final grain formation stage.

Another rain spell would definitely improve the yield, he added.