20000207

Sindh major crop output on rise

RECORDER REPORT

HYDERABAD: Production of major crops like cotton, wheat, rice and sugarcane in Sindh province has been constantly rising during last four years from 1995-96 to 1998-99, with yields per hectare better than other provinces.

According to the crop statistics, cotton production in Sindh was recorded as 1.861 million bales, 2.250 million bales, 2.335 million bales and 2.134 million bales during the years 1995-96, 1996-97, 1997-98 and 1998-99 respectively. The cotton production in the current year 1999-2000 is estimated at 2.377 million bales. The yields per hectare of cotton in Sindh was 598, 631, 622 and 576 kg during the four years from 1995-96 to 1998-99 as compared to 602, 476, 496 and 494 kg achieved in the Punjab.

During these four years, Sindh produced 2.344 million tonnes 2.443 million tonnes, 2.659 million tonne and 2.675 million tonnes of wheat. Wheat yield per hectare has been the highest in the country. Figures indicate that wheat yield per hectare in Punjab was 2081 kg, 2118 kg, 2327 kg and 2226 kg; in Sindh 2119 kg, 2208 kg, 2374 kg and 2381 kg, in NWFP 1388 kg, 1263 kg, 1477 kg and 1425 kg and in Balochistan 2161 kg, 2413 kg, 2283 kg and 2372 kg respectively during the years from 1995-96 to 1998-99.

Sindh particularly southern Sindh is bestowed with best climate for sugarcane cultivation. In this crop too Sindh has been obtaining increased production of 13.737 million tonnes, 13.110 million tonnes, 15.999 million tonnes and 17.050 million tonnes.

The yield per hectate of sugarcane crop in the Punjab was 44,306 kg, 39,739 kg, 46,856 kg and 42,782 kg; in Sindh 53,998 kg, 52,192 kg, 61,161 kg, and 62,964 kg; in the NWFP 44,712 kg, 44,664 kg, 45,640 kg and 45,687 kg; and in Balochistan 49,167 kg, 51,429 kg, 53,571 kg and 54,429 kg during these years.

Similarly, the Sindh has also been getting enhanced production and higher yields of rice crop. The Sindh rice production rose from 1.697 million tonnes in 1995-96 to 1.930 million tonnes in 1998-99. The comparative rice yield per hectare is in Punjab 1,358 kg, 1,376 kg, 1,382 kg and 1,458 kg, in Sindh, 2,642 kg, 2,795 kg, 2,671 kg and 2,741 kg; in NWFP, 1,858 kg, 1,909 kg, 1,949 kg and 1,959 kg and in Balochistan 2,720 kg, 2,735 kg, 2,736 kg and 2,736 kg during the period.