Provincial govts finalize arrangements for wheat procurement drive

Isamabad: All provincial governments are set to formally kick off the wheat procurement campaign for crop season 2022-23.

Food Security Commissioner in the Ministry of National Food Security and Research Imtiaz Ali Gopang told APP that the procurement drive would facilitate growers across the crop-producing areas in the country to sell their produce at official fixed rates of 3,900 rupees per 40 kg.

He said the Sindh government has decided to start the procurement during the current week, whereas the Punjab intends to start it from 15th of this month.

Food Security Commissioner said Sindh is to procure about 1.4 million tons of wheat during the current procurement drive, while Punjab would acquire 3.5 million tons. He said Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would procure 100,000 tons of grains respectively.

He said local wheat output during the current season is expected to reach over 27 million tons with carry forward stocks of 1.5 million tons.