Rains boosts Pakistan wheat hopes

07 January 1999

Rains boosts Pakistan wheat hopes

THE arrival of rain has raised hopes for Pakistans wheat crop, reports the Financial Times.

The agricultural ministry in Islamabad has set a production target of 19m tonnes this year for the country, marginally up on last years 18.7m tonnes.

But some observers say the countrys wheat crop has already been damaged by the unusually long two-month dry spell.

The crop will still need further rain to meet needs.

Experts say Pakistans wheat crop suffers from a number of problems – a delay in sowing, poor cultivation methods and poor use of fertiliser.

• Financial Times 07/01/99 page 36