09 November 2004	Tuesday	25 Ramazan 1425

ISLAMABAD, Nov 8: Federal Minister for Food, Agriculture and Livestock Sikandar Hayat Bosan here on Monday launched nationwide "Grow more wheat campaign" at National Agriculture Research Council (NARC).

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Bosan said that the government has taken concrete steps to get better wheat production.

He said government has particularly focused to create awareness among farmers and agriculturists regarding wheat production, adding, during the campaign appropriate information would be provided to them.

Later, talking to newsmen, the minister said due to lack of proper planning some farmers were not getting required production. He suggested that by following basic procedures farmers could get a better wheat yield.

He asked farmers community to follow the approved procedures and directions of NARC during crops' sowing season to get better production.

He said availability of water was also an important factor for getting better production as water should be given at proper time during the sowing season.

Mr Bosan also asked farmers to use herbicides which could also helpful to increase wheat production. He said proper use of phosphorus was also essential.

Answering a question, he said that the government was trying to achieve the wheat production target to avoid import of the commodity from foreign countries.

He said International Centre for Agriculture Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA) had worked along with Pakistan in 30 projects while currently 15 projects were running in the country in collaboration with ICARDA.

He said the ICARDA was running a mega project of worth $6 million in Balochistan particularly for the agricultural development of dry areas of the province.-APP