Punjab’s record wheat harvest turns import-to-export vision

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FAISALABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th Sep, 2026) Chief Scientist Wheat, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI) Faisalabad, Dr
61 million tonnes last year which helped in strengthening food security and creating opportunities for earning substantial foreign exchange through wh
Addressing a meeting convened to approve the Wheat Production Plan 2026-27, he said that this achievement was made possible through the concerted effo
He said that climate change had created new challenges for wheat production, making it imperative to enhance per-acre yield while simultaneously reduc
He said that agricultural scientists and extension officers were utilizing available resources with renewed commitment to provide farmers with practic

FAISALABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th Sep, 2026) Chief Scientist Wheat, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI) Faisalabad, Dr Javed Ahmad said that Pakistan’s vision of transforming wheat from an import-dependent commodity into an exportable surplus had received a major boost as Punjab achieved a record production of more than 29.61 million tonnes last year which helped in strengthening food security and creating opportunities for earning substantial foreign exchange through wheat exports.

Addressing a meeting convened to approve the Wheat Production Plan 2026-27, he said that this achievement was made possible through the concerted efforts of agricultural scientists, field officers and farmers who worked together to improve crop productivity and promote modern farming practices.

He said that climate change had created new challenges for wheat production, making it imperative to enhance per-acre yield while simultaneously reducing production costs.

He said that agricultural scientists and extension officers were utilizing available resources with renewed commitment to provide farmers with practical training, technical guidance and modern production recommendations.

He stressed that the use of certified and quality seed along with adoption of modern production technology were among the most important factors for increasing wheat yield and improving farm incomes.

He said that agricultural research and extension systems were working to ensure that farmers had access to scientific knowledge and improved technologies capable of helping them cope with changing climatic conditions.

Dr Javed Ahmad further said that scientists at AARI Faisalabad, Arid Zone Research Institute Bhakkar and Barani Agricultural Research Institute Chakwal had developed and introduced high-yielding wheat varieties including Akbar-19, Fakhar Bhakkar, Bhakkar Star, Nisan, Nawab, Ujala-16, Dilkash-2021, Subhani-2021 and Urooj-2022. These varieties possessed resistance against diseases and could play an important role in improving wheat productivity when cultivated according to recommended agronomic practices and suitable agro-climatic conditions, he added.

Director Coordination & Farm Training Lahore Dr Muhammad Tariq told the meeting that the government’s program to provide modern agricultural machinery to farmers on subsidized rates had also contributed significantly to increasing wheat productivity.

Under this initiative, modern farm machinery worth billions of rupees was being provided to promote mechanized cultivation, resulting in a noticeable improvement in per-acre wheat production during the previous season, he added.

He said that adoption of modern agricultural technology, coupled with financial assistance and technical guidance for small farmers, had helped increase productivity and paved way towards greater agricultural self-sufficiency.

The meeting held detailed discussions on different aspects to be incorporated into the Wheat Production Plan 2026-27, covering the entire crop cycle from sowing to harvesting.

The experts examined recommendations regarding suitable climatic conditions for different varieties, seed rate, optimum sowing time, land preparation, sowing methods, fertilizer application, irrigation, thinning, hoeing, weed control and protection against pests and diseases.

The participants also reviewed technical recommendations aimed at enabling farmers to achieve higher yields with efficient use of water, fertilizers and other agricultural inputs.

After detailed deliberations, agricultural experts finalized and approved the draft of Wheat Production Plan 2026-27 for printing.

This plan was expected to provide farmers and field staff with comprehensive, scientifically developed guidelines for improving wheat productivity, reducing production costs and strengthening the country’s food security and agricultural self-reliance.

Director Headquarters Agriculture Extension Lahore Dr Muhammad Iqbal Khan Niazi, Director Barani Agricultural Research Institute Chakwal Dr Nadeem Ahmad, Director Social Sciences NARC Faisalabad Dr Arshad Bashir, Additional Director General Crop Reporting Faisalabad Ijaz Ahmad, Additional Director General Pest Warning Faisalabad Ahmad Naveed, Director Agricultural Information Faisalabad Dr Asif Ali, university professors and other agricultural scientists were also present in the meeting.

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