Federal Minister for Industries, Production and Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain has said the government will purchase the surplus wheat from farmers.
He stated that PASSCO, the agency responsible for maintaining the strategic food stock, is actively procuring wheat and ensuring transparency in the purchase process.
Also, online registration for bardana (bags) supply has commenced, and efforts are being made to provide fertilisers to farmers at fixed rates.
Federal minister Hussain stressed that each wheat farmer would be guaranteed the purchase of his surplus produce. Despite ongoing farmer protests, he reassured that measures were being taken to address the issue, including the prime minister’s directive to establish a mechanism for wheat procurement.
Meanwhile, farmers Saturday announced plans to take to the streets in protest against the government’s decision not to procure wheat directly.
They will stage a sit-in outside the Chief Minister’s Office on May 16. Jamaat-e-Islami Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman will lead the protest.
Sardar Zafar Hussain Khan, Kisan Board Pakistan central president said in a press conference that the Food Department established to safeguard farmers’ interests was being abolished.
Despite discussions, the government declined to purchase wheat, with 190,000 Bardana (bags) applications returned to farmers.
Under the new policy, the food department’s role in wheat procurement has ceased, and the private sector will now directly engage with farmers.
