No possibility of wheat export: Bosan

Federal Minister for Agriculture, Food and Livestock Sikandar Hayat Boson said the country had sufficient wheat stocks, hence there was no possibility of wheat export.
Talking to Business Recorder, here on Monday Boson revealed that draft of "Bio-Safety Guidelines" had been prepared and would be submitted to the Ministry of Law and Parliamentary Affairs for the final approval.
He said these guidelines aimed at promotion of BT cotton cultivation. After the approval of "Bio-safety Guidelines" multinational seeds manufacturing companies would make investment in the country, which would open new avenues of competition apart from ensuring quality seeds for the farmers, which is a must for getting good crops. "We are trying to bring such sort of cotton seed, which will have full resistance against the virus", he said.
The federal government would provide 15 billion rupees to the four provinces for the Drip & Sprinkling Irrigation project, which would be launched soon, he said.
He further said the government would spend Rs 3.2 billion on the uplift of livestock sector, which would ultimately help strengthen the country's economy.
"Pakistan has attained self-sufficiency in wheat and more than one million tonne surplus wheat is available in the country," he revealed.
He said that wheat was the only essential commodity, whose rate was not increased during the last three years; hence the government would not allow wheat export.
To a question, he admitted that all the neighbouring countries were exporting wheat but Pakistan would not allow its export so as to safeguard the interests of consumers.
He said that Dairy Development Board had already been constituted in collaboration with public private partnership and around 3000 dairy forms would be set up across the country. Veterinary doctors and allied staff were being recruited to provide quality treatment services to animals, he said.
Boson said that agriculture sector was backbone of the country's economy and the government is paying full attention for its uplift and betterment of farming community.
He said, 'Crops Maximisation Project' worth Rs 7.8 billion had been finalised for the betterment of small growers. Under this project, 30,000 small farmers would be given loans to purchase seeds, pesticides and fertilisers, he added.