Ans: Rabi’ Crops of Pakistan:
The crops which are sown in the beginning of the winter season and
harvested at the start of summer are called rabl’ crops. This season lasts
from September to May. Wheat, barley, pulses and oil seeds are the major
Rabi’ Crops.
(i) Barley:
Barley is very similar to wheat but it is different from wheat in some respects.
Barley crop is more tolerant to temperature fluctuation and changing rainfall
levels. Very fertile high-quality soil is required for wheat crop but barley can
be grown in low quality soils as well. Barley is used as an alternative of
wheat, as well as animal fodder.
(ii) Wheat:
Wheat is a staple in the diet of the majority of our people. Wheat is grown in
all the four provinces of Pakistan. It is sown in the beginning of the winter
season and harvested very after the spring. Wheat is cultivated in canal
irrigated areas on extensive areas as well as some barani areas particularly
of Potwar Plateau. According to an estimate, wheat covers 46 percent of our
total cultivated area. In the year 2021, Pakistan was reported to have
produced 27.3 million tons of wheat.
(iii) Oil Seeds:
Different variety of oil seeds like cottonseed, soyabean, yellow mustard,
canola, sesame, peanut and sunflower. Oil extracted from these seeds is
used for manufacturing cooking oil and ghee. Specially known for the
cultivation of oil seeds are the Punjab districts of Multan, Bahawalpur,
Sargodha, Chakwal and Faisalabad, Sindh districts of Khairpur, Hyderabad
and KPK district of Peshawar. Thai region and rain-fed districts of Chakwall
Jhelum, Attock and Rawalpindi are most suitable for the cultivation of peanut.
(iv) Pulses:
Pulses generally fall in the category of rabi’ crops. Gram is the most
pulse consumption, moong is 10 percent, masoor 4 percent and mash 4
commonly used pulse in our country, it counts for 70 percent of our total
percent. Some pulses like gram (chana) can be grown in barani areas. 75
percent area under cultivation of pulse crops is in the Punjab and 18 percent
is in Sindh. Pulses form an important part of the diet of average Pakistani
households. These are also a big source of protein content.