Govt. wheat procurement from upcoming crops set at 6.5m tons

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has set a target of wheat procurement from the upcoming crops at 6.5 million tons, which needed Rs200 billion financing.

Federal Minister for food and agriculture, Nazar Muhammad Gondal presides over the second session of Agriculture Task Force here, which was attended by Finance Advisor Shaukat Tarin, Federal Ministers, Naveed Qamar, Manzoor Watto, Ghulam Ahmad Bilour, Federal State Minister for economic affairs, Hina Rabbani Khar besides food ministers of all the four provinces and high officials.

Following the meeting, Federal Minister, Nazar Muhammad Gondal told a news conference that this was for the first time in the history of the country such a big target of wheat procurement has been set, which envisages Punjab procuring 3.5 million tons, Pasco 1.5 million tons, Sindh 1.2 million tons, Frontier 0.3 million tons and balochistan 0.5 million tons.

He said that the government would ensure payment to the growers at Rs950 per maund of wheat. He said that the country’s requirements stood at 2.3 million tons, while the wheat production this year was expected at 2.5 million tons, as it has been cultivated on over 6 percent more area. Nazar Muhammad Gondal said that private sector would not be allowed to import wheat.

source : jang.com.pk

Special committee constituted for actions against urea hoarders

ISLAMABAD: Special committee has been constituted for taking actions against the hoarders of urea in the country.

Federal Minister for Industry and Production, Mian Manzoor Watto told this to journalists here. He said that the locally produced 4.8 million tons of urea being held back illegally in the wake of shortage of urea in the country. He said that the government would take stern actions against persons found involved in hoarding.

When quizzed, he said that fertilizer would be required for self-sufficiency in wheat. He said that fertilizer companies have been asked to submit details of their supplies in writing. He further said that two companies including Fatima Fertilizer would start production from next year, which would ease out urea supply and demand gap.

source : jang.com.pk