Agriculture (Flora and Fauna)

Flora

In size and variety, the jungle trees are an index to the nature of the soil on which they grew. The Van (Salvadora oleoides) and Karil (Capparis aphylla) are found where the Jand (Prosopis spicigera) could never have survived; the presence of Beri (Zizyphys jajaba) and mallha (Zizyphus numularia) and Karil (Capparis aphull) would grow in greater profusion. The Beri and Shisham (Dalbergia Sissoo) are practically confined to the wells in the Hithar. In all but the worst years, the uplands are amply provided with nutritious grasses Chimber (Eleusine egyptiaca), Lambh, Pelwahn (Andropogon-ennulantus) and Khavi (Andropoogon invaranousa) which from a great attraction for the riverain people who migrate there annually when agriculture is suspended by the autumn floods.

Fauna

The wild life of this district includes fox, pig, jackal and wild cat. Among the birds, partridge, pigeon, dove, tilyar, Ialmena, bias, parrot, quail, pochard, pintail, mallard, teal, stark etc. are found in the district.

Month

Mean Temperature

Precipitation

Relative Humidity

Maximum

Minimum

Jan

19.4oC

4.0oC

11.5 mm

66.0%

Feb

21.9oC

7.1oC

20.1 mm

61.2%

Mar

26.7oC

12.3oC

25.7 mm

58.2%

Apr

33.5oC

18.0oC

16.9 mm

46.5%

May

38.4oC

22.7oC

16.1 mm

37.5%

Jun

40.5oC

26.9oC

27.9 mm

41.7%

Jul

37.1oC

27.0oC

115.0 mm

61.5%

Aug

36.1oC

26.6oC

89.8 mm

65.9%

Sep

35.7oC

23.7oC

28.7 mm

59.9%

Oct

33.0oC

17.0oC

3.9 mm

54.7%

Nov

27.2oC

10.1oC

3.0 mm

62.7%

Dec

21.4oC

5.1oC

8.6 mm

66.5%

Annual

30.9oC

16.7oC

372.3 mm

56.8 %

Land Utilization

The land use distribution in Toba Tek Singh is as under:

Land Use

Acres

Geographical Area

807,238

Cultivated Area

665,214

Uncultivated Area

127,463

Canal Area

481,510

Tube well Area

41,443

Canal + Tube well

142,261

Forest

14,561

Salient Features

District Toba Tek Singh is one of the important Districts of the Punjab from Agricultural point of view. The east side of this district is coinciding with the District Faisalabad and in the North West there is District Jhang. The river Ravi is surrounding it from the eastern southern side. It is comprised of four Tehsil including Toba Tek Singh, Gojra, Kamalia and Pir Mahal.

Sub-Soil Water

The area of district Toba Tek Singh comprises of 807,238 acres having about 66,5214 acres which is very good irrigated land with a very high potential for agricultural production and suitable for a wide range of crops. The production, at present, is below its potential mainly due to the lack of sufficient good quality irrigation water, the low standard of farming, water logging, salinity and sodicity problems, Most of the area has brackish underground water. Almost all the Tehsil have brackish sub surface water apart from the some areas along the Ravi River in Tehsil Kamalia. Crop production can be enhanced up to the significant level by ensuring the availability of good quality irrigation water. About 105,653 acres consist of good irrigated land which has high economics potential under irrigation. The major part of this land is loamy clay. About 163,211 acres consist of moderate irrigation land with good structure but with problem of salinity, strong sodicity.

Hydrology

The hydrology of this area is influenced by the major river Chenab by canal system namely Jhang Branch, Rakh Branch and Gogera Branch. Sometimes river Ravi over flows during the moon soon and floods affect a part of Tehsil Kamalia. There are shallow lands along the river Ravi. At first area was called as “Sandal Bar”.

Soil

Soils of Toba Tek Singh are Sandy Loam to Loam in Texture that is suitable for the wide range of crops. It is the texture of the soil that has put Toba Tek Singh under the mixed cropping zone. Results of the soil analysis had shown that the pH is very high that has resulted in saline sodic soils as well as the use of brackish water has further aggravated the problem. According to the soil analysis data it is revealed that soil is deficient in organic matter and available phosphorus resulting in low medium to low crop yields. However potassium contents are moderate. Mostly soils required amendments like farm yard manure, compost, green manuring, bio-fertilizers, gypsum and sulfuric acid for their reclamation. Farmers of the area are advised to use balanced and site specific use fertilizers for better crop production in the light of their soil and water analysis date.

Cultivation

As in most parts of Punjab, mix-cropping pattern is followed in Toba Tek Singh. In central region, Cotton, wheat, sugarcane Maize and other cash crops are grown while in riverine areas Rice and Sugarcane mainly dominate in cultivation. A wide range of vegetables both in open filed and in tunnels are also grown. In orchards: citrus and guava are major orchards. There is also a wide range of fodder crops grown in whole District to feed the cattle.

Tehsil Toba Tek Singh

The soil and climate of Tehsil Toba Tek Singh is suitable for all types of crops including wheat, cotton, rice, maize, sugarcane Tobacco and citrus. The farmers in the tehsil are hugely benefitted by the existence of a number of ginning and Kinnow factories. Wheat is mainly grown on domestic and commercial land by the growers on large scale. The produce is lifted by the Food Department as well as private parties. As regards the fruits, the soil and climate is very suitable for the growth of citrus and guava.  Major part of District citrus area is grown in the Tehsil Toba Tek Singh. The trend of sowing grapes, on commercial lines, is also on the rise.

Tehsil Gojra

Major crops sown in Tehsil Gojra are maize, potato, wheat, sugarcane and cotton. Geographically, the land is leveled and rich in nutrients. The trend of planting guava is on the rise owing to its high commercial value.

Tehsil Kamalia

The soil is sandy to loamy in nature, and the climatic conditions are peculiar due to presence of river Ravi. Major crops sown in Tehsil Kamalia are wheat, rice, sugarcane and okra. Rice is sown on large area due to availability of sweet ground water and rice processing units are present in the Tehsil Kamalia that purchases the local produce. Okra is a monopoly crop and one thing very unique; Kamalia is the only city where vegetable market (Sabzi Mandi) for auction of Okra is working since many years.

Tehsil Pir Mahal

The soil is sandy to loamy in nature, and. The major crops grown in Tehsil Pir Mahal are wheat, rice, maize, sugarcane and cotton. Rice is grown on large area that is second to Tehsil Kamalia. While a considerable portion of land is also under citrus cultivation.

Major Crops

Multiple Cropping which is actually a dream for all other districts has been prevailing in the District Toba Tek Singh making it unique i.e. Wheat, Sugarcane, Rice, Maize, Cotton, Potato, Tobacco, Oil Seeds, Citrus, Guava and Vegetables. Details are as under:

Wheat

Wheat, as elsewhere in Punjab, is one of the staple crops in Toba Tek Singh too. Not only it feeds human beings but provides food to livestock too in the form of wheat straw. Around 21 varieties are grown in the district, and with the adoption of new technology and research, it’s per acre production has been considerably increased. In 2019-20, yellow rust, a fungal disease, broke out in the district which severely damaged the wheat crop and reduced its production by 25%.

Rice

Owing to the limited availability of sweet ground water, rice mainly grown in Tehsils Kamalia and Pir Mahal with small portion in other tehsils. More than 10 varieties are sown in the district with Major Variety PS-2 (1121).

Cotton

Cotton is being sown throughout the district since early 1960s, i.e. when the canal water became available. Generally, about 20 varieties of cotton are grown of which those of maximum in Tehsil TT Singh, Gojra and Pir Mahal.

Sugarcane

Even though, sugarcane is grown in the district since long, but the trend has increased by manifolds after 1990s with the establishment of two sugarcane factories; 1 in Tehsil Kamalia and 1 in Tehsil Gojra. Out of these 2, the one in Gojra has gone out of production since 2017, due to its shifting to some other district. Trend of sowing was declined in previous couple of years due to shortage of irrigation water and low price of crop. But this year, sowing has gain positive trend due to high prices of sugarcane.

Maize

Maize crop is grown twice a year; spring and autumn for two purposes i.e. grain and silage. Generally, about 25 hybrids of Maize are grown of different multinational as well as generic companies. It may be noted here that the increasing trend of growing maize has adversely affected the area of cotton in the district.

In addition to the above major crops, oilseeds crop including sunflower, sesame, mustard, canola etc. are also sown successfully. Oilseed crop has replaced area of wheat in the district. Similarly, vegetables and fodder crops are also grown over large areas.

Tobacco

Markaz Rajana is famous for producing quality huqa tobacco being liked all over the Punjab with good monitory benefits to the farmers. Chak No. 291GB, Chak 284GB and Chak 263GB are famous for quality production of tobacco.

Government Seed Farm Gojra

The Government Seed Farm was taken over by the Department in 1947 .The Government Seed Farm Gojra situated at 08 Km Jhang Road Gojra in Chak No. 357/JB. Farm is located at the tail end of Jhang Branch and Bobak Minor. Underground water of seed farm area is brackish in nature. Thirteen (13) Patta Dars are present at Government Seed Farm Gojra. These Patta Dars are present since the creation of Government Seed Farm Gojra.  Seven Patta Dars were ejected in 2001. Vacated area from these Patta Dars since 2001 is 92 acres and it is cultivated by the department as direct cultivated area.

Soil and Water Testing Laboratory

Keeping in view utmost requirement of water and soil analysis, Government of the Punjab had established Soil and Water Testing laboratories at District level that are rendering their services to the farmers. For rendering easy and quick advisory service to the farmers in February 1988, Soil and Water Testing Laboratory at District Toba Tek Singh was established.

Soil and Water Samples are collected from farmer’s field on their request and analyzed for physical and chemical characteristics in laboratory at nominal fee. The farmers are advised to improve the soil fertility on the basis of analysis report and to get high yield by applying recommended doses of fertilizers as well as are advised on the utilization of sub surface water for irrigation purpose.

Soil and Water Testing Laboratory Toba Tek Singh had analyzed more than 85000 soil and more than 16,000 water samples under advisory service and more than 100,000 soil and 5000 water samples under Project Extension service 2.O from its establishment till now.