Key Points:

Wheat is being sown on 1,860,000 acres across Faisalabad Division on the chief minister’s directions, with another 7,206 acres under the Apna Khet Apna Rozgar scheme
Targets have been set for sowing beyond the fixed goal, continuous guidance of farmers, canal water supply to the tail ends and unadulterated fertiliser and seed at fixed rates
The commissioner pledges sowing beyond 100 per cent of the target and says every canal outlet is being checked against water theft
Farmers are urged to use super seeders and avoid burning crop residue so the environment stays protected from pollution
Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Numan Siddique’s unbeaten century powered the district administration to a big-margin win over Ghala Mandi in a friendly match at Bohranwali Ground

FAISALABAD: Wheat is being sown on 1,860,000 acres across Faisalabad Division on the directions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, with targets set for sowing beyond the fixed goal, officials said on Saturday.

Another 7,206 acres will be sown with wheat under the Apna Khet Apna Rozgar scheme. Targets have also been assigned for continuous guidance of farmers, supply of canal water to the tail ends and availability of unadulterated fertiliser and seed at fixed rates.

The sowing drive was reviewed at a meeting at the Commissioner Office, chaired jointly by Provincial Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture Usama Leghari, Secretary Agriculture Punjab Mian Shakeel Ahmad and Commissioner Faisalabad Dr Imran Hamid Sheikh.

Director Agriculture (Extension) Chaudhry Khalid Mahmood briefed the meeting on the sowing target, progress made so far, farmer awareness, fertiliser and seed availability, canal water supply and the publicity means for the wheat campaign.

Deputy commissioners of the division, Assistant Commissioner General Dr Zeeshan Irshad, officers of the Agriculture and Irrigation departments and members of farmer organisations attended the meeting.

Mr Leghari said that on the chief minister’s direction, divisional headquarters were being visited to review the sowing target and the progress made so far. He appreciated the efforts of the Commissioner Faisalabad in resolving farmers’ problems.

He said the division’s experienced team was hopeful of achieving sowing beyond the target. Farmers should be encouraged to use super seeders and discouraged from burning crop residue so that the environment could be protected from pollution, he said.

Secretary Agriculture Mian Shakeel Ahmad said the Faisalabad administration would continue to support completion of the sowing target, availability of unadulterated fertiliser and seed and supply of water to the tail ends.

He said guidance of farmers would continue even after the sowing was complete. Field teams would closely watch the condition of the crop, he added.

He said every mogha (canal outlet) was being checked and assistant commissioners would ensure supply of water to the tail ends.

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Commissioner Dr Imran Hamid Sheikh assured the meeting that the administration was determined to take the wheat sowing target beyond 100 per cent. He said preventing theft of canal water was a priority and tehsil-level committees had been formed for the purpose.

He said every mogha (canal outlet) was being checked and assistant commissioners would ensure supply of water to the tail ends. The assistant commissioner concerned would be answerable wherever tampering of water was found, he said.

Representatives of farmers expressed satisfaction over the steps of the chief minister, the support of the district and divisional administrations and the measures of the Agriculture Extension department.

Deputy Commissioner Hits Unbeaten Century in Friendly Win

An unbeaten century by Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Numan Siddique powered the district administration to a big-margin win over Ghala Mandi in a friendly cricket match at Bohranwali Ground on Saturday, officials said.

The cricket match was played between the district administration and Ghala Mandi teams at Bohranwali Ground under the leadership of Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Numan Siddique.

The district administration has taken to the field under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s vision for the promotion of sports and in connection with the Youth Games.

The deputy commissioner said the district administration was playing its full role, under the chief minister’s vision, to promote sports and provide opportunities for positive and healthy activities to the youth.

He said the Youth Games would play an important role in raising the spirit of sports among the youth, promoting teamwork and fostering a trend of healthy competition.

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Sports activities were an effective means of polishing the abilities of the young generation and drawing them towards positive activities, he said. The district administration would continue its steps for the promotion of sports, he added.