Government committed to raising per acre wheat production

Government is taking solid steps for promotion of per acre wheat production, said Agriculture Development Commissioner, Ministry of Food and Agriculture Dr Mohammad Hanif.
Speaking in a PTV programme, he said government is committed to substantially increase per acre agri-production in the country.
He said, in view of the importance of agriculture sector in national economy, President General Pervez Musharraf announced a number of steps in June and a package was announced in the federal budget 2004-05.
Incentives were also included in the package on the import of machinery for use in agriculture sector, he added.
Replying to a question, he said efforts are being made to enhance per acre wheat production.
He said, in this regard, latest technology is also being introduced in the country.
Efficient use of water is need of the hour for which special awareness is being created, he added.
To another question, he said enough wheat stocks are available in the country to meet domestic requirements.
Presently, about 4.5 million tonnes wheat is available in the public sector stock, he added.
Mohammad Hanif said prices of the commodity are monitored regularly.
He said, government encouraged private sector in procuring wheat as it wanted that private sector should have a major role in this regard.
Mohammad Hanif said government has timely announced wheat support price which will help improve production in the country.
He said, "We are running an educational drive through TV, Radio, and Newspapers in order to promote production."
Dr Hanif said, every feature is being worked out which is relevant to enhance wheat production.
He informed that the salient features of "Wheat Policy" have been presented to the Economic Co-ordination Committee (ECC).
The ECC asked the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to prepare a comprehensive wheat policy in consultation with all the Provincial Governments to enhance production of wheat in the country, he added.
He said, the Prime Minister has asked that this work should be ended within six weeks.