Farmers advised to complete final irrigation of wheat by March 25

FAISALABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Mar, 2026) The agriculture experts have advised the wheat growers to complete final irrigation of their crop by March 25 while taking into account the condition of crop, prevailing weather conditions and water requirements to ensure better productivity and protect the standing crop from damage.

According to a spokesman of Agriculture (Extension) Department, timely and well-managed irrigation during the final stage of wheat growth plays a decisive role in achieving improved grain quality and higher yield.

Hence, the farmers have been advised to closely monitor their crops and complete the last watering before March 25 to avoid unnecessary water stress at the maturity stage, he added.

He clarified that in case of rising temperatures, lush green crop condition or late-sown wheat, the farmers may continue irrigation beyond the recommended date but only after consultation with local agricultural experts of the department.

This step would help the growers take decisions based on the specific needs of their fields rather than following a uniform schedule, he added.

He said that the agriculture department also issued instructions regarding pest and disease management during the final stage of crop growth.

The farmers were advised not to use chemical pesticides in case of minor attacks of aphids “Sust Teela” and they instead spray should use cold water to control the pest without damaging the crop at this sensitive stage, he added.

He urged the farmers to regularly inspect their wheat fields to detect any signs of disease at an early stage. If they find plants affected by rust “kangyari” disease, they should immediately remove such plants from the field to prevent its spread, he added.

He recommended that infected plants should be uprooted and buried in the soil to stop the disease from spreading to healthy plants.

He said that if the wheat was cultivated in disease affected fields, the farmers should increase the interval between irrigation cycles to reduce moisture conditions that may encourage the spread of infection.

He said that proper care during the final stage of the crop is imperative because this period directly affects grain formation and overall productivity. The small mistakes in irrigation or pest control at this stage could significantly reduce farmers’ profits, he added.

He also urged the farmers to start early preparations for harvesting and storage of wheat to avoid last-minute difficulties.

He advised the growers to ensure availability of harvesting equipment, labor and storage arrangements well before the crop reaches full maturity.

In this connection, the farmers should remain in contact with field staff and extension workers of the agriculture department for technical guidance so that any issue related to irrigation, pest control or disease management could be addressed immediately, he added.

He said that wheat is one of the most important staple crops in Punjab and plays a key role in ensuring food security in the country.

Proper crop management during the final growth stage could significantly improve production and support farmers’ income as proper irrigation schedules, careful monitoring of crop health and timely preparation for harvesting would help the farmers to secure better yields while minimizing the risk of crop damage during the crucial final weeks of the wheat season, he added.