ISLAMABAD, Feb 15: Wheat sowing registered an increase of 0.8 per cent as compared to last year.

The wheat sowing target for 2001-02 is fixed at 8410 thousand hectares and production target at 20.0 million tons.

The wheat crop size for 2000-01 was estimated at 19.02 million tons which included Punjab 15.42 million tons, Sindh 2.23 million tons, NWFP 0.76 million tons and Balochistan 0.614 million tons.

Overall wheat stock position is estimated at 5.699 million tons. Punjab has 2.621 million tons, Sindh 0.916 tons, NWFP 0.226 million tons, Balochistan 0.309 million tons and PASSCO 1.627 million tons.

Though dry weather had affected the sowing process, particularly in the Barani area, the target is likely to be achieved by taking special measures to overcome water shortage.

Provinces have been asked to prepare a wheat production plan to fulfil objectives and a viable strategy to achieve the target.

The federal government has advised provinces to develop a water usage plan for the coming Rabi crops.

The agricultural credit line has been increased to Rs60 billion, with major funding placed at the disposal of ADBP.—APP