The federal government has decided to export rice to be procured by the Pakistan Agriculture Storage and Services Corporation (Pasco) during the current season. 'We have decided to export rice through government-to-government agreements', said the Federal Minister for Agriculture Nazar Muhammad Gondal while addressing media at the Pasco headquarters here on Thursday.
He said Pakistan produces finest quality of Basmati rice in the world and it is in great demand in the international market. He said Pakistan has demand of one million tons of Basmati from Saudi Arabia and also from Iran and matter is being negotiated.
To a query he said that production of rice in the country is expected at around 6.2 million tons. The Minister said that the government had taken the decision some two months back to buy paddy in case prices decrease in the domestic market. He said that the Pasco had entered into agreement with 20 rice mills to buy paddy on behalf of the Corporation at the rate of Rs 1500 per 40 kilograms for Basmati and Rs 700 per 40 Kilograms for IRRI variety. The Corporation then would buy rice from these mills at the rate of Rs 3000 per 40 Kilograms Basmati and Rs 1400 per 40 Kilograms IRRI.
He also disclosed that number of mills in agreement with Pasco would increase to 40 mills till evening (Thursday evening). He said that target initially assigned to the Pasco was One million tons (500,000 tons of each Basmati and IRRI). However if the need persists and rates were not stabilised, then Pasco could purchase another one million tons of rice, he added.
Gondal stated that paddy procurement had started two days back by the mills and till date they had purchased 900 tons. He hoped that the procurement would be in full swing from tomorrow (Friday).
He said that mills in agreement with the Corporation had also been assured that their limits of bank advances would also be get enhanced to facilitate them in procurement of paddy. Replying to another query regarding start of crushing season, he said that the sugar mills have assured the government that crushing would start between November 15 to 20. He said that outstanding dues of farmers against sugar mills were now very negligible and government put in all efforts to get the dues of farmers cleared.
Earlier the Minister chaired a meeting at Pasco head office with regard to paddy procurement. Federal Secretary Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock (Minfal) Zia ur Rehman, Managing Director Pasco Anwar Saeed Khan, Chairman Basmati Growers Association Hamid Malhi and others attended the meeting.
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