Pakistan to Maintain Wheat Reserves of Up to 6 Million Tonnes

Notably, the federal administration will maintain strategic wheat reserves of up to 6 million tonnes to ensure uninterrupted supplies and prevent shortages throughout Pakistan, Food Security Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain noted on Monday.

Key points

• The minister's announcement came days after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif set the indicative wheat cost for 2027 at Rs.
• Pakistan Kissan Ittehad President Khalid Mahmood Khokhar welcomed the government's decision to set the indicative wheat cost at Rs.
• He remarked the administration could additionally arrange imports of up to 550, 000 tonnes of wheat, depending on provincial requirements and market demand.
• Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Hussain remarked the country had sufficient wheat stocks to meet national demand this year.
• Expressing concern over recent fluctuations in wheat rates, Hussain described the prevailing rise as artificial and blamed certain market elements for manipulating rates.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Hussain remarked the country had sufficient wheat stocks to meet national demand this year. He continued that the administration was prepared to address potential market disruptions and ensure the availability of the staple food. Govt Sets Wheat Cost at Rs. 4, 500 per 40kg.

Meanwhile, the minister's announcement came days after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif set the indicative wheat cost for 2027 at Rs. 4, 500 per 40kg, an growth of Rs. 1, 000 from the previous year's cost.

Pakistan Raises Wheat Backing Rate by Rs. 1, 000, But Farmers Want More.

Hussain remarked the administration had finalized the indicative cost after consultations with all provincial governments. He continued that the decision would assist stabilize the domestic wheat market, protect farmers' interests and create opportunities for wheat exports next year.

For context, the minister remarked imported wheat would additionally cost approximately Rs. 4, 500 per 40kg, making domestic procurement a more suitable option. He reiterated that the administration would prioritize local farmers instead of relying unnecessarily on imports. Govt Releases Wheat Stocks to Provinces.

Hussain disclosed that more than 1.3 million tonnes of wheat had been supplied to provincial governments from the stocks of the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (Passco).

He remarked sufficient wheat stocks were available nationwide and expressed confidence that costs would return to normal within the next few days. The administration was closely monitoring market developments and would take necessary measures to prevent artificial shortages, speculative practices and unjustified rate increases. Punjab to Withdraw 20kg Flour Bags From Market. Govt Announces Wider Agricultural Reforms.

Hussain remarked the federal administration was additionally pursuing measures to strengthen agricultural productivity, improve market regulation and ensure the availability of essential food commodities.

He continued that policies covering seeds, olives and biotechnology had been formulated to modernize Pakistan's agricultural sector, improve crop productivity and encourage innovation. The minister remarked access to quality seeds, modern agricultural technologies and stronger regulatory mechanisms was essential to increasing productivity and reducing farmers' production costs.

Pakistan Kissan Ittehad President Khalid Mahmood Khokhar welcomed the government's decision to set the indicative wheat cost at Rs. 4, 500 per 40kg. He expressed satisfaction with the consultation process and remarked farmers needed a predictable and reasonable rate for their produce.

Last month, the association had demanded a backing rate of Rs. 5, 000 per 40kg, warning that farmers might avoid sowing wheat in the next season if the administration delayed announcing its crop policies.

Meanwhile, the association had additionally stated farmers were struggling to afford balanced fertilizer employ as they were unable to recover their production costs. Stay Connected with ProPakistani.

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Taken together, the developments around pakistan to Maintain Wheat Reserves of Up to 6 Million Tonnes point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.