ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday ordered distribution of wheat from government warehouses in Punjab to the local markets to mitigate the effects of an impending flour crisis.

The bureaucracy had advised the premier to distribute wheat stocks from government warehouses in October.

However, the premier said, You should immediately bring wheat to the market and provide it at a cheaper price by setting up markets and sale points.

The premier added that if need be, wheat would be imported in October if needed.

Earlier, on Jun 9 it was reported that Pakistan is facing a shortfall of 1.4 million tons of wheat because of a decrease in yield, a development that is set to aggravate the existing flour crisis in the coming months.

The Federal Committee on Agriculture (FCA) was informed about the impending crisis during a meeting held on Wednesday, June 9, to review the Khareef season.

The wheat production target last year was set at 27 million tonnes. This year, there is a shortfall of 1.4 million tonnes and 79.95pc of the procurement target has been achieved.

Speaking during the meeting, Federal National Food Security and Research Minister Syed Fakhar Imam stressed the need to increase wheat production.

We need a breakthrough in high-yield wheat variety through genetic engineering, he added.

Our country has the best irrigation system which is not being used properly. Wheat is grown on 36pc of the countrys cultivated area.

Food Security Commissioner Dr Waseem informed the participants of the meeting that after many years, the country had exceeded the chickpea production target of 540,000 tonnes.

This year, there will be saving of Rs87 million as there will be less chickpea import, he added.

Potato production for the current year is 4.43 million tonnes against 4.4 million tonnes recorded last year. Balochistan also recorded a bumper crop of tomato this year.

Imam said there was a need to increase the production of oil seeds (sunflower, canola, rosehip and mustard).

The Indus River System Authority representative informed the participants of the meeting that there would 9pc more water available for Khareef season this year.

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PM Imran orders distribution of wheat from government warehouses - The Express Tribune