LAHORE, Jan 23: Rain has provided a crucial watering to wheat and all other crops in the process of sowing and maturing, according to farmers from the Punjab.

An official of the Farmers Associates Pakistan said here on Sunday early sown wheat needed second watering and late sown the first one and the showers had helped the both.

They said now the wheat crop would not need any water till the end of February. Had it not been for the two timely rains during the month of January, the country could have faced famine, he said.

An official of the Kissan Board of Pakistan believed that the recent rain was good for everything growing out of soil. It would not only immensely benefit wheat, but also contribute to the growth of gram, sunflower and corn crops.

The showers had not only provided second watering to all the standing and yet-to-be-sown crops, but also provided water for storage in both dams and other reservoirs.

The farmer said it had helped farmers due to its timing and pattern. It was more than required for the wheat crop as far as timing was concerned. The pattern was even better, as it drizzled continually for over 24 hours. "Soil quickly absorbs this kind of rain and retains moisture for a long period, which is beneficial to crops," he said.