LAHORE, Oct 7: The Punjab on Thursday finalized wheat sowing policy focusing on the timing, balanced use of fertilizer and water management.

A meeting, presided over by Agriculture Minister Arshad Lodhi, was attended by secretary Arif Nadeem, DG (extension) Abdul Ghaffar, all provincial EDOs (agriculture) and district agriculture officers, representatives of Punjab Seed Corporation and fertilizer and pesticide companies and irrigation department.

The meeting was told that efforts of the department were focused on convincing farmers that time would be of essence this year. Mr Nadeem told Dawn that sowing should ideally be completed before November 15 and should not go beyond 30 in any case.

The department has started its campaign in Barani (rain-fed) areas. It would be aggressively promoting zero tillage in the rice belt (central Punjab) and dry bed sowing in southern part of the province.

All the relevant material was ready and very aggressive media campaign would be launched to convince farmers about the importance of timing of the sowing, he added. He claimed that 150,000 tons of urea was on its way and stocks of the DAP were healthy enough to see the province through the season. Sufficient stocks of herbicides were also available to save the crop from any disease.

The secretary said according to irrigation department's claim water would be available for two to 2.5 watering, though there was 56 per cent shortage during Rabi. The meeting also discussed district and canal wise water distribution plan which ensured supply at crucial stages of sowing, booting and grain filling. Both departments would make sure that farmers got water during these three crucial periods, he maintained.

Mr Lodhi said the government would target sowing at least 15.3 million acres - the last year's target. Efforts would be made to exceed it but this was minimum that has to be achieved. All other government departments which have a role to play would be taken on board to ensure target.

The government was aware of massive water shortage but was carefully planning its distribution to mitigate the impact. The government would concentrate on provision of certified seeds, fertilizers and herbicides so that a better crop could be reaped.

Despite 56 per cent shortage, water would be available to rice area from November 5 to December 15 and in cotton area from October 26 to November 15 and for wheat. Water would be available for second watering of wheat from February 1 to March 20.