Boost Wheat Yields in Pakistan Sustainably

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) stands as the backbone of Pakistan’s food security and rural economy, forming the dietary foundation for over 200 million people. Beyond human consumption, wheat straw serves as a critical resource for livestock feed, paper manufacturing, and other agro-based industries, reinforcing its centrality to both the agricultural and industrial sectors. However, despite its pivotal role, Pakistan’s wheat productivity continues to underperform compared to its potential. During the 2022–23 cropping season, wheat was cultivated across approximately 9.0 million hectares, producing 28.0 million tonnes with an average yield of 3,111 kg/ha (GoP, 2023). While this represents modest progress, the figure remains significantly below the potential yield of major wheat varieties estimated between 5,000 to 8,000 kg/ha (API, 2022).

This persistent yield gap underscores the need for urgent intervention in both policy and practice. The main contributing factors include inefficient irrigation systems leading to water wastage, imbalanced fertilizer use that depletes soil fertility, delayed sowing caused by poor crop rotation planning, and limited adoption of climate-smart technologies. Additionally, post-harvest losses, seed quality issues, and lack of farmer training further constrain productivity.

Addressing these challenges requires an integrated approach. The adoption of precision agriculture, balanced nutrient management, laser land leveling, and zero-tillage practices can improve input efficiency and yields. Strengthening extension services, improving certified seed availability, and promoting mechanization will enhance farmers’ capacity to implement best practices. Policy alignment with research-based recommendations, including incentives for water-efficient irrigation and soil health management, can further accelerate productivity gains.

Bridging Pakistan’s wheat yield gap is not merely an agricultural goal, it is a national necessity for ensuring food security, economic resilience, and rural prosperity in the face of climate and resource pressures.

Optimizing Land Preparation and Sowing Techniques for Enhanced Wheat Yields in Pakistan

Land preparation forms the foundation of successful wheat cultivation, influencing every subsequent stage of crop growth from germination to root establishment and nutrient uptake. Properly prepared soil ensures optimal seed-to-soil contact, moisture conservation, and aeration, all of which are prerequisites for achieving high yields. Research shows that optimized tillage practices can boost wheat yields by 13–30% (Rizwan et al., 2017), emphasizing the need for precision and discipline in pre-sowing operations.

An ideal sequence of tillage involves one pass with a Mould Board Plough immediately after the preceding crop’s harvest to invert the soil and incorporate residues. This should be followed by two passes of a Disc Harrow or Rotavator to crush clouds and refine the seedbed, and finally, one pass with a Cultivator to ensure fine tilth and proper leveling. Smooth level land facilitates uniform irrigation and reduces nutrient runoff, setting the stage for efficient crop management throughout the growing season.

Laser Land Leveling (LLL) has become indispensable for modern wheat production. By ensuring a precise and even field surface, it enables uniform water distribution, improves fertilizer efficiency, and enhances germination. A study conducted in Sargodha demonstrated that LLL maintains a field level variance of just ±2 cm, compared to ±3–6 cm in traditionally leveled fields after three years (Ashraf et al., 2017). Economically, LLL reduces irrigation water use by up to 51%, increases yields by 6–10%, and raises net annual income by about 32%. Farmers are encouraged to conduct accurate land surveys using Eye Level Detectors before leveling to ensure precision and long-term benefits.

Transitioning to advanced sowing methods is equally crucial. Traditional broadcasting techniques like Ghurbi and Wat Khair lead to uneven seed distribution and poor plant stands. In contrast, modern precision sowing methods i.e. Raised Bed, Ridge, and Drill Sowing offer substantial advantages. Raised Bed Planting saves 30–40% irrigation water and boosts yield by 16.4% (Asif et al., 2019). Ridge Sowing conserves water and increases yields by 22% (Hussain et al., 2019), while Drill Sowing ensures uniform depth and spacing, improving yields by about 9% (Khan et al., 2000).

Optimized Planting Time, Variety Selection, and Weed Management for Wheat Productivity

The timing of wheat sowing is one of the most decisive factors influencing yield potential in Pakistan. Delayed planting exposes the crop to terminal heat stress during grain filling, resulting in severe yield losses ranging from 8.3% to 63.85% (Tahir et al., 2019). Optimal sowing should ideally occur in early November when temperatures favor germination, tillering, and spike development. Selecting region-specific and climate-resilient varieties is equally important. For Sindh and southern Punjab, early sown varieties such as Sarsabz, Kiran, and NIA-Amber are recommended, as they mature before the onset of terminal heat and resist rust and other diseases (Channa et al., 2016). Farmers are encouraged to consult local agricultural extension departments to align variety choice with agro-climatic zones and sowing windows, ensuring genetic potential is fully realized.

Alongside proper sowing practices, weed management plays a pivotal role in achieving optimal yields. Weeds compete with wheat for light, nutrients, and water, causing annual yield losses of up to 25% (Ali et al., 2017). Integrated Weed Management (IWM) combines cultural and chemical measures to provide sustainable control. Precision sowing methods such as raised beds and drill sowing inherently suppress early weed emergence by ensuring uniform seed placement and optimal spacing. When necessary, selective herbicides such as Isoproturon 50 WP at 1.0 kg a.i./ha can achieve up to 84% weed control efficiency (Fahad et al., 2013). For broader control, combinations like carfentrazone ethyl ester + isoproturon provide over 93% weed suppression (Shah et al., 2016). Timely sowing, variety optimization, and effective weed management together form a synergistic strategy to boost wheat yields, enhance input efficiency, and secure Pakistan’s food supply.

Balanced Nutrition, Efficient Irrigation, and Proactive Disease Management

Achieving high and sustainable wheat yields in Pakistan depends on the precise integration of balanced nutrient management, efficient irrigation, and effective disease control. Fertilizer misuse both over- and under-application remains one of the most significant barriers to yield optimization. Balanced nutrient applications can enhance wheat production by up to 70% (Rashid et al., 2024, citing NFDC principles). Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), which combines organic and inorganic fertilizers, ensures sustained soil fertility and improved crop performance. Studies show that applying 6 t/ha of poultry manure with 128-114-62 kg/ha of NPK or 10 t/ha of farmyard manure at land preparation achieves the highest yields (Abbas et al., 2012). However, fertilizer application should always be guided by soil testing to tailor nutrient doses to field conditions and prevent leaching losses.

In Sindh, specific NPK recommendations vary across varieties. For instance, TD-1 requires 50 kg N, 25 kg P, and 25 kg K per acre, while NIA-SUNDAR needs slightly higher phosphorus (45 kg P/acre) but no added potash (Khan et al., 2014). Adopting such site- and variety-specific fertilizer strategies enhances nutrient use efficiency and reduces input costs.

Efficient irrigation scheduling is equally critical. Over-irrigation causes nutrient leaching, waterlogging, and salinity, which are chronic problems in Sindh’s canal command areas, where shallow water tables cover 28–69% of farmland (Salam et al., 2023). Precision irrigation practices, as outlined by PCRWR (2023), recommend a total of about 480 mm of water for the NIA-SARANG variety, comprising a 100 mm soaking dose followed by five irrigations at 21-day intervals. Maintaining the water table at around 1.5 m allows capillary rise to meet up to 25% of crop water requirements, conserving both water and energy.

Finally, disease management remains a key determinant of yield stability. Fungal diseases such as leaf rust, loose smut, and root rot can reduce yields by up to 50% (Rahman et al., 2017). Preventive seed treatment using fungicides like Tebuconazole + Imidacloprid (Hombare @ 4 ml/kg) or Difenoconazole + Cyproconazole (Dividend Star @ 1 ml/kg) ensures protection against major seed-borne pathogens (Shahbaz et al., 2018). Balanced nutrition, early sowing, and resistant varieties such as Bakhtawar and Sassui also minimize rust incidence (Channa et al., 2016). During outbreaks, foliar sprays of Propiconazole (Tilt) can reduce disease severity from 100% to less than 5% (Ali et al., 2022).

Conclusion

Pakistan’s wheat productivity challenge is not merely an agronomic issue, it is a matter of national food security and rural resilience. The persistent yield gap, despite decades of research and technological progress, reflects a systemic need for integrated and adaptive management. Sustainable intensification of wheat production requires a holistic strategy that combines science-driven agronomy with farmer-centered implementation. Optimized land preparation through laser leveling, precision sowing, and timely planting are foundational to maximizing resource use efficiency and improving plant establishment. Balanced fertilization, guided by soil testing and integrated nutrient management, can restore soil health and sustain productivity, while efficient irrigation scheduling ensures that every drop of water contributes directly to yield.

Equally, proactive disease management and integrated weed control are indispensable for maintaining crop vigor and minimizing losses. The success of these practices, however, depends on strong extension services, farmer education, and timely access to quality inputs. Strengthening institutional coordination between research, policy, and field-level operations will be essential to closing the yield gap sustainably.

By embracing precision agriculture, resource efficiency, and climate-smart practices, Pakistan can move closer to realizing the full potential of its wheat sector ensuring food security, economic stability, and a resilient agricultural future for millions who depend on this vital crop.

References: Ali et al; API; Ashraf et al; Asif et al; Atiq et al; Channa et al; Fahad et al; GoP; Hussain et al; Khan et al; PCRWR; Rahman et al; Rashid et al; Rizwan et al; Salam et al; Shah et al; Shahbaz et al; Tahir et al.

Please note that the views expressed in this article are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of any organization.

The writers are affiliated with the Drainage and Reclamation Institute of Pakistan (DRIP), Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) and can be reached at nazargul43@gmail.com

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