SARGODHA: The recent spell of rains in the four districts of Sargodha Division Khushab, Mianwali, Bhakkar and Sargodha -is expected to prove a blessing for wheat growers.

According to Director Agriculture (Sargodha) Shahid Hussain, the grain which was not mature prior to the wet spell, will ripe around April 15.

`If it does not rain now, the wheat crop will be excellent this year,` he said. He said farmers used good fertilisers and followed the advice, due to which the damage that wasfeared due to the recent hailstorm and rain was just 5 per cent. He said wheat had been cultivated on 1.7 million acres in the division.

He said staff of the agriculture department was in touch with the farmers regarding the maintenance of crop and timely harvesting.

MUZAFFARGARH: Wheat harvest in Muzaffargarh and Kot Addu may face a drastic drop due to the wet spell.

Agriculture officials say the target of wheat procurement will not be achieved.

Deputy Director Mohammed Habib said the yield would be low.