PESHAWAR, Feb 18: Heavy rain in rain-fed regions of the province, forming 60 per cent of the total NWFP cultivated land, would positively impact the area under wheat crop in addition to benefiting grazing fields in the mountainous regions, agriculture experts said.

Senior officials of the agriculture department believe that rain at this time of the Rabi season — shortly before the spring — would benefit the wheat crop which is, at present, at its development stage.

“Apart from benefiting the farmers of the rain-fed areas of the NWFP who have cultivated wheat, the rain would also positively impact grazing lands currently in the sprouting stage,” said Mr Amir Mohammed Shah, deputy director, Directorate of Agriculture, NWFP.

Agriculture sector in the rain-fed areas suffered heavily due to drought which remained persistent during 1999-2000 and 2000-01 financial years.