Wheat is an annual cereal crop of Pakistan and being a staple food crop, it covers the largest cropped area during the Rabi season. It is grown in irrigated as well as rain-fed areas , and contributes 12.1 per cent to value-added in agriculture and 2.9 per cent to gross domestic product (GDP).

The area under the wheat crop declined from 8,463,000 hectare to 8,137,000 hectare, a reduction of 3.8 per cent during the year 2000-01. Its production decreased from 21.079 million to 18.535 million tons, a reduction of 12.1 per cent during the same year.

The yield determinants such as number of plants per unit area, number of grains per spike and thousand-grain weight were significantly affected under the water shortage conditions.

The canal head withdrawals in Kharif season decreased by 15.8 per cent and stood at 59.7 million-acre feet (maf) during the year 2000-01. During the Rabi season, canal head withdrawals declined by 28.8 per cent as it went down to 21.4 as compared to 30 maf during the same year.

However, wheat production increased from about 18 million to about 19 million tons, an increased of 5.4 per cent during the year 2002-03. The increase in wheat production was due to the moderate amount of rainfall received during the same year and increase in the price of wheat grains per 40 kg.

However Pakistan is not self-sufficient in producing wheat and more than one factors can be cited for the low yield. Impure seed, low seed rate, late sowing, traditional method of cultivation, non-availability of water for irrigation, pests and diseases are some of the most important factors responsible for the situation.

Recently the government took a bold decision to increase the price of wheat from Rs300 to Rs350. The objectives behind this price increase are two; First, the increase in price is meant to give impetus to farmers and second, it may also strengthen the purchasing power of farmers.

However, this will happen only only if prices of other inputs remain the same. The government, therefore, should keep an eye on the prices of improved seed, fertilizers, weedicides, insecticides and power if it wants to give some incentives to wheat growers.

The government should ensure availability of water for irrigation during the Rabi season which is the most yield-limiting factor. For this purpose, the government should increase the storage capacity, either by constructing new dams or by removing sediments from the existing dams.

The easier method is to save water by increasing the efficiency of the canal system. Currently, the efficiency of the system is very poor. By reducing seepage and percolation losses, it is possible to save considerable amount.

To increase yield it is also important to evolve wheat varieties having high potential and resistant to insect, pests and diseases.

At present not more than 10 per cent certified wheat seed is used for sowing purposes. In majority of cases, farmers use the local seed for sowing. Such seeds have poor germination percentage and are infested with weed seed. Arrangements should also be made to provide certified seed to more and more farmers at affordable prices.

Application of right type of fertilizers and in right amount at the most appropriate timing is essential as fertilizers contain macro and micro nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, sulphur, calcium, magnesium, etc, essential for crop growth. So to give boost to wheat crop, it is imperative that the government should ensure the availability of fertilizers at the required time.

Weeds, insects and diseases are the real biotic culprits of crops. They damage the crop plants maximally by impairing the nutrient and water use efficiency.

In wheat crop, the most important weeds are dumbi siti and jangli jai. To root out weeds, integrated weed management approach is most important. It includes a combination of approaches such as preventive, cultural, biological and chemical methods. Similarly for the control of insects and diseases, integrated management approach is the best.

There are some obligations on farmers as well. Farmers should use seed rate in recommended amount. Low seed rate is one of the most yield-limiting factors. Optimum plant population is attainable only when farmers use recommended seed rate.

Delayed sowing is another cause of low wheat yield. It is due to the rice-wheat and cotton-wheat cropping systems. Picking of cotton continues till December-January and sowing time of wheat is the month of November.

So wheat sowing is delayed by one month at least. Farmers are required to sow seed on zero tillage bases in the rice field as well as in the cotton field to evade late sowing.

The results of zero tillage technology are encouraging. On one hand, the problem of late sowing is avoided while on the other hand there is no problem of weed infestation.

Sowing of wheat in lines has many advantages over the other sowing methods. It permits to do cultural practices such as weeding etc. as well as allows uniform germination. Uniform crop stand is good in the sense that the plants utilize all inputs such as fertilizers and water judiciously.

Farmers are required to provide irrigation in right amount and at the right time when crop needs water. Over- or under-irrigation is harmful as it reduces yield in both ways.

Balance use of fertilizers at the appropriate timing will increase uptake of nutrients by plants. Increase in fertilizer use efficiency is meant for increase in yield.

In the same way, farmers should do their best to keep weed free fields. Whenever, there is attack of insects and disease, it is essential to get rid of them to get desired production.