SINDH FOOD MINISTER REVIEWS PREPAREDNESS FOR PROCUREMENT OF 1 MILLION METRIC TONS OF WHEAT WORTH RS. 87.5 BILLION

Karachi: Provincial Minister for Food Sindh, Makhdoom Mehboub-uz-Zaman, presided over a high-level meeting to review the preparedness and operational plan for wheat procurement across the province. The meeting was attended by Secretary Food Ghulam Abbas Naich, Director Food, and district officers from across Sindh, where a comprehensive review of arrangements for the upcoming 30 days was undertaken.

During the meeting, the Minister was briefed that the expected wheat production in Sindh for the current season stands at approximately 4.5 million metric tons. He said that the Government of Sindh will procure 1 million metric tons of wheat at an estimated cost of Rs. 87.5 billion, ensuring stability in the market and safeguarding the interests of growers of the province.

The Minister directed that 109 procurement centers established across the province must be made fully functional with proper location mapping, staffing, and coordination mechanisms to facilitate farmers. He emphasized that all arrangements must be aligned with capacity requirements to ensure a smooth procurement process. Makhdoom Mehboub-uz-Zaman stressed that payments to farmers must be ensured within 48 hours through Hari Card and banking channels, reinforcing transparency and efficiency. He further stated that the support price of wheat has been fixed at Rs. 3,500 per 40 kg, and necessary measures should be taken to maintain harmony between support price and market rates.

Highlighting the Bardana management plan, the Minister directed that Rs. 60 per bag of 50 kg wheat will be provided to growers to support the procurement process. He also instructed that adequate staffing must be ensured, including the posting of Deputy Directors and additional personnel wherever required to facilitate operations.

The Minister issued strict directives for zero tolerance against wheat theft, pilferage, and adulteration, stating that no leniency will be shown in such cases. He ordered further strengthening of the monitoring system, ensuring effective surveillance by field formations along with daily reporting and digitization of records. He directed that reconciliation of wheat transportation and stock must be ensured on a timely basis, while digital inventory management and submission of daily reports must be made mandatory. Wheat stored in open spaces should be transported on priority to prevent losses.

To ensure transparency and accountability, the Minister ordered the establishment of a robust complaint redressal mechanism at district level under the supervision of Deputy Commissioners, with representation from the Agriculture Department, Food Department, and Abadgar Board. The Minister also directed that repair, maintenance, and fumigation of godown facilities must be ensured on priority, adding that the Secretary Food will personally monitor the fumigation plan to safeguard wheat stocks.

The Minister reiterated that the wheat procurement process will be personally monitored at every stage. He stated that he will be visiting different divisions and districts to review progress on ground and ensure that all arrangements are being implemented effectively. He emphasized that strict compliance with SOPs must be maintained, adding that any gaps in implementation or record-keeping will be taken seriously.