Raya/Canola seed of local varieties is frequently available in different pats of Pakistan. Not only seed corporation depots and research institutes are supplying at cheep and subsidized rated but more than 350 seed providing private companies are also selling a huge quantity. However, hybrid varieties are not frequently available except HC 022B and HC 021C of Kanzo group which are being supplied on subsidized rates through the extension wing department of agriculture. Farmers should not worry about seed. Some fractions of seed mafia may be involved in playing dirty game of hoarding but seed is not short this year.
Cruciferous oilseed crops are likely to be grown on huge acreage this rabi season 2022-23. Production of raya is relatively easier and safer than canola. Most of the farmers have intended to prefer raya crop. Oil extracters prefer canola and it is more useful than raya for our cooking oil industry. In this video, we have advised that farmers that a huge tonnage of raya is likely to be produced, market may glut and price of raya may fall steeply. Therefore, it has been stressed that area under canola should be increased to avoid incontinence.
Raya is relatively heat tolerant and can be planted when environmental temperature of 32-35 degree centigrade prevails. It can be planted during 1st fourtnight of September in northern rainfed areas, after mid of September in central and after 20th of September in most parts of south Punjab. In this video we have recommended the plantation of raya under the scenario of current weather condition and concluded that rainfall is expected in most parts of north and some of central Punjab during 10,11 and 12 September. This gentle spell of light to moderate rainfall may only create proper moisture condition in rain fed areas but it may also develop crust in early planted crop in the central Punjab. Therefore planting of raya before this rainfall should be avoided. However, it will lower the temperature and condition will become suitable for its planting in central to south Punjab. Therefore, planting of raya crop should be carried out immediately after this rain spell.
AARI canola is a relatively short stature, heat tolerant, early maturing variety of raya group but very low in harmful acid having 12 % quantity of omega 3 contents which is double than most other varieties. Under the scenario of changing recent monsoon it has become very suitable to plant it in early September. Its yield potential is plus 20 maunds but mostly harvested under 20 maunds per acre which is considered as 30-40% lesser than more professional varieties like super canola, super raya and most hybrid varieties. Unlike most other varieties having variably black seeds, its seed is yellowish orange with minor mixture of black seeds due to which sometimes its market demand becomes lesser. After planting in September, it matures within 120 days and is easily harvested in early February. After this crop, spring maize, sunflower, early cotton crop, vegetables, sugarcane and fodders may easily be planted well in time. Most long durational and high statured canola/raya varieties damage sugarcane crop in winter season but in this video, we have advocated AARI canola as the best option as an intercrop in September planted sugarcane.
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