WE have seen devastation across the country owing to heavy rains and subsequent floods. This is becoming a rather routine affair in the country. To control and minimise flood damages to some extent, we should take some preventive measures to avoid a looming wheat crisis.

Stagnant floodwater in Balochistan and Sindh is not receding fast enough. This in effect means that timely sowing of Rabi crop is in danger. It is suggested that services of international drainage consultants should be sought for speedy outflow of the accumulated water, and for the reclamation of the flooded land.

Since prospects of Rabi crop in Sindh and Balochistan are bleak and there is a likely loss of wheat crop, it will be wise to have more extensive sowing of wheat across Panjab where post-flood wheat sowing is being done currently. For this purpose, the provincial government in Punjab may extend allout support to the farmers.

Muhammad Faheem
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2022