Punjab Government Opts Out Of Farmer Wheat Procurement

The Punjab Food Department has announced that the Punjab government has no plans to procure wheat from farmers, leading to distress among them, as per reports.Reportedly, Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam Nawaz intends to directly benefit farmers instead of intermediaries. It’s emphasized that the government shouldn’t prioritize middlemen over farmers’ rights.

According to the Punjab Food Department, Punjab currently possesses 2.27 million tons of wheat in stock, indicating a surplus. Given this surplus and the existing debt of Rs. 355 billion for wheat procurement, the government’s decision against further purchases is justified. It’s noted that each year, wheat procurement results in a loss of Rs. 125 billion, with additional expenses exceeding Rs. 1 billion for storage and maintenance.

Read more: Farmers Nationwide Protests In Pakistan Due To Wheat Crisis

Sources suggest that by saving significant sums, the government plans to provide farmers with various facilities, including farmer cards.

Furthermore, the Punjab Food Department asserts that 95% of wheat has already been sold by farmers, dismissing the uproar from intermediaries as unwarranted.