SANGHAR, Dec 21: Speakers at a seminar on "Grow more wheat" have demanded that the federal government should analyse the fertility of the soil in Sindh. The seminar was held at the district agriculture office on Tuesday.

Progressive farmers, agriculturists and taluka nazims attended the seminar. The experts suggested that the study should be undertaken at least one soil sample per square kilometre in each Deh of all union councils of Sindh.

They said the government should ensure availability of phosphate fertilizer and zinc during the wheat growing season. District Naib Nazim Dr Mehmood Rajput said recommended fertilizers were not available in the market.

He demanded that it should be made mandatory for each fertilizer dealer to stock phosphate, potash and nitrogen (urea) fertilizers. Mr Rajput called for setting up pesticide and seed testing laboratories in the district.

The senior scientific officer of the Pakistan Agriculture Research Council, Mr Ameer Laghari, called for balanced use of nitrogen, phosphorous and potash fertilizers. Agriculture officer Mohammad Ali Khaskheli said land should be prepared properly before sowing wheat.

He said laser levellers and water conservation methods be adopted for sustainable agriculture. He said by adopting latest techniques, per acre yield could be improved and cost of production could be decreased. The speakers demanded that seminars should be held at the start of crop sowing at the union council level.