OKARA: The government imports every year edible oil worth Rs3 billion which is a burden on the economy.
The growers can help the government reduce this huge import bill by cultivating advanced recommended varieties of sunflowers seeds from Jan 15 to Feb 15 to gain better per acre yield which ultimately will improve the national economy.
Addressing sunflower growers here on Friday, Deputy Director of Agriculture Dr Shahbaz Akhtar said the growers of Okara, Sahiwal, Faisalabad, Kasur, Sheikhupura and Nankana Sahib districts should use 2-2.5kg per acre sunflower hybrid seeds varieties, including Hyson33-T40318, Agora 4 NK Armony, US 666, US 444, PA Arson 3, Ayxin 5264 and 5270, S 278, HSF 360, ISON 648 O and ISON 516.
These are the best varieties giving better yield at proper cultivation season and its per acre yield and seed oil be lowered in case of late cultivation. At the time of land preparation for relatively less fertile land, growers should use two bags of Di Ammonium Phosphate and one bag of Sulfate of Potash and for average land use 1-1/2 bag DAP and one bag SOP per acre.
Published in Dawn, January 9th, 2021
