Latest news with #PakistanAgriculturalStorageandServicesCorporation
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Wheat target falls short by 4m metric tons
'When our costs are Rs3,400, how can we sell for cheaper? The policies punish us for surviving,' Khokhar said. photo: file Federal Minister for Food Rana Tanveer Hussain on Thursday revealed alleged corruption in the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (Passco), amounting to around Rs1 billion. During a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on National Food Security, held under the chairmanship of Masroor Ahsan, Hussain confirmed that corruption did indeed occur in Passco. "This is why the government is considering establishing a Commodity Wing as an alternative institution," he added. The minister further stated that wheat production this year reached 29 million metric tons, falling short of the target of 33 million metric tons. He expressed concerns that the open market wheat policy might benefit middlemen, and if farmers do not receive fair compensation for their crops, wheat cultivation could be adversely affected next year. Senator Danesh Kumar from Balochistan voiced concern over the deteriorating state of wheat, warning that if the crop is wasted, it could turn into a major scandal. The federal minister clarified that although a portion of the crop was affected, the majority of the wheat was still safe. Hussain also mentioned ongoing efforts to improve seed quality. He said action has been taken against those involved in the sale of fake seeds. He said hybrid seeds are being imported, while local seed production is also underway. The minister admitted that there is a severe shortage of manpower in the Ministry of Food with available resources operating at less than 50% capacity. He said Pakistan's agriculture sector still relies on outdated systems, while neighboring countries have made significant progress. The meeting also discussed the appointment of the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) chairman, internal politics within the institution, and Pakistan's position in smart agriculture.
Business Recorder
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
PASSCO's wheat reserves will not be released into open market: minister
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain said on Tuesday that the government will not release Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO)'s strategic wheat reserves into the open market, reaffirming the government's commitment to ensuring national food security. Speaking during a meeting with representatives of farmer unions, the minister clarified that PASSCO's reserves are meant strictly for emergency situations. 'These reserves are maintained strictly for emergency situations and food security purposes,' Hussain said. Federal govt is no longer setting wheat prices, pulls plug on Passco 'Ensuring the food security of our population remains the top priority of the government.' In addition to addressing concerns over wheat availability, the minister also discussed the government's efforts to boost maize exports. He said that Pakistan is actively engaging with several countries to expand export markets for maize through diplomatic and trade-level initiatives. These efforts, he noted, are expected to yield positive results for the farming community and bolster the national economy. 'Pakistan's maize has high potential in international markets due to its quality and competitive pricing,' Hussain said. He added that the government is improving storage, logistics, and value chain mechanisms to support export efficiency. The minister also briefed the farmer representatives on various government initiatives aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity. These include improving farmers' access to quality seeds, modern machinery, and affordable fertilisers. He reiterated the government's resolve to address the grievances of the farming community through policy reforms and public-private partnerships. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
21-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Wheat farming package tops Rs110b
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has given a package amounting to Rs110 billion for wheat farmers for the first time in the history of the province. According to an official statement, no significant assistance is being provided to the wheat farmers in any other province. Presiding over a meeting, the chief minister approved a relief package worth Rs25 billion under the Wheat Farmer Support Programme. She issued directives to grant Rs5,000 per acre to the wheat farmers, amounting to Rs25,000 for five acres of cultivated land. The chief minister directed the authorities concerned to carry out an amendment required to make the flour mills comply with a condition to purchase at least 25 per cent wheat. She approved an electronic warehouse receipt policy and a notification has been issued in this regard. She directed the provincial agriculture minister to monitor the wheat procurement campaign. The price control department will assist in the campaign. The chief minister directed the Bank of Punjab to establish a credit line of Rs100 billion. She was informed in a briefing that wheat farmers had purchased agricultural inputs approximately worth Rs55 billion through the Kisan Card. The wheat farmers were given a subsidy of Rs10 billion on 9,500 tractors, of which 1,000 were given free of charge to growers at a cost of Rs2.5 billion. The wheat farmers were given a subsidy worth Rs8 billion for tube well solarisation. The farmers are being given a subsidy of Rs8 billion on 5,000 super seeders. The farmer who grows maximum wheat across the province will get a 85-horsepower tractor worth Rs4.5 million free of charge. The farmer who comes second in the wheat growing competition will get a tractor worth Rs4 million and the third Rs3.5 million. It was informed in the briefing that the farmer who grows the maximum amount of wheat in each district will get Rs1 million, the second Rs800,000 and the third Rs500,000. On the whole, the farmers will get Rs104 million in prizes in the wheat growing campaign. An agriculture internship programme worth Rs1.25 billion has been launched for guiding wheat farmers in the province. Under the scheme, 1,000 interns will remain in the field for facilitating and supporting wheat farmers across the province. Farmers cultivating cotton will get Rs25,000 per block, in all worth Rs375 million. The chief minister urged all stakeholders and citizens to take the holistic responsibility for the protection of the environment and remain an active part of campaigns for a permanent solution. Meanwhile, the Lahore High Court is likely to hear on Tuesday a plea seeking directives to the provincial government for fixing wheat price at Rs4,000 per-40kg. The petitioner Ghulam Abbas had cited as respondents the provincial government, food secretary and director general of the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation. He submitted that the government is going to fix the price at Rs2,200 40kg of wheat, while the expenditures per acre are Rs3,600. The petitioner contended that the government is not purchasing wheat from the farmers, adding that setting a low rate of the wheat is unethical, unlawful and tantamount to multiplying the miseries of the farmers. He requested the court to direct the provincial government to fix the price at Rs4,000 per 40kg, announce subsidy for the farmers and formulate a policy to purchase wheat from the farmers.
