ISLAMABAD, Feb 13: Federal Minister for Food, Agriculture and Livestock Sikandar Hayat Bosan has said the government is hoping to cross the 20.2 million tons wheat target for this season keeping in view the recent rains across the country.

Talking to Dawn, the minister said the recent rains were a blessing and would have a healthy effect on the wheat crop. Production of wheat greatly depends on temperature variations in March, he said. Low temperature is always beneficial for the wheat crop and results in increased production because depleted temperature helps the grain to grow.

It seems that the temperature in March would remain low compared to last year keeping in view the prolonged wet spells, he added. Replying to a question, Mr Bosan said cotton production this season had crossed the figures of previous year, adding that its benefits would certainly trickle down to the rural areas and growers.

Meanwhile, it is pertinent to mention that according to official figures the total wheat consumption of the country is 20.4 million tons, which means that even after achieving the target, the country would need an additional 200,000 tons of wheat to fulfil the domestic demand. Besides, smuggling of wheat to Afghanistan through spurious border is also hard to control.