Complete Wheat Farming Guide for Punjab 2026

Wheat is the backbone of Pakistan's agriculture. Punjab alone produces over 80% of the country's wheat, and for millions of farmers in the province, it is the primary rabi season crop. This guide covers everything from choosing the right seed variety to timing your harvest and getting the best price at the mandi.

Choosing the Right Seed Variety

The Government of Punjab recommends several high-yield varieties for the 2025-26 rabi season. For irrigated areas, Faisalabad-2008, Punjab-2011, and Galaxy-2013 remain popular choices due to their rust resistance and high grain quality. For barani (rain-fed) areas, Chakwal-50 and Dharabi-2011 are better suited as they require less water and can tolerate drought stress.

When purchasing seed, always buy certified seed from registered dealers. On Agrixia, you can search for seed sellers in your area, check their ratings and reviews, and compare prices. Avoid using grain from the previous harvest as seed, as it often has lower germination rates and may carry disease.

Land Preparation and Sowing

Proper land preparation is critical for wheat. The field should be ploughed 2-3 times with a cultivator, followed by planking to level the surface. The ideal sowing window in Punjab is November 1-25. Late sowing (after November 30) can reduce yield by 30-40%, so timing is everything.

The recommended seed rate is 50-60 kg per acre for irrigated land. Use a wheat drill for even distribution of seed at the correct depth (2-3 inches). If a drill is not available, broadcast sowing followed by light planking also works, though it uses about 20% more seed. You can find tractor-mounted seed drills for rent on the Agrixia marketplace.

Irrigation Schedule

Wheat typically needs 4-6 irrigations depending on rainfall. The most critical irrigation is the "crown root" irrigation, applied 20-25 days after sowing. Missing this irrigation can reduce yield by up to 25%. Subsequent irrigations should be at tillering (45 days), booting (65-70 days), flowering (85-90 days), and grain filling (100-110 days).

Agrixia's Weather feature helps you plan irrigations by providing accurate 7-day forecasts for your exact location. If rain is predicted, you can skip an irrigation and save water and electricity costs. The crop advisory feature will also send you reminders when each irrigation stage approaches.

Fertilizer and Pest Management

For optimal yield, apply 1.5 bags of DAP per acre at sowing time and 1 bag of urea with the first irrigation. A second dose of 1 bag urea should be applied at the second irrigation. In areas with zinc deficiency (common in central Punjab), apply 5 kg zinc sulphate per acre at sowing.

Wheat rust (both yellow and brown) is the biggest disease threat. Scout your fields regularly after January. If you see orange-brown pustules on leaves, apply a recommended fungicide immediately. Agrixia's marketplace has verified pesticide dealers where you can compare prices and buy genuine products.

Harvest Timing and Selling Strategy

Wheat is ready for harvest when the grain is hard and has a moisture content below 12%. In Punjab, this is typically mid-April to early May. Harvesting too early results in shriveled grain; too late risks shattering losses and delays in planting the next kharif crop.

Before heading to the mandi, check prices on Agrixia's Mandi Prices feature. Compare rates across different mandis in your district. The government support price for 2026 is expected to be around PKR 4,000 per 40 kg, but open market prices can vary significantly. Set price alerts on Agrixia so you get notified when wheat prices cross your target rate at your nearest mandi.

If you need to hire a combine harvester, post a job on Agrixia's Job Board. Harvester operators in your area will see your post and apply with their rates. Attach your land measurement from Zameen Naap so they can quote accurately.