The Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (Passco) has procured 0.7 million tons of wheat from 15 Tehsils allocated in Punjab and two districts of Sindh, during its on-going procurement drive for crop 2008.
According to the reliable corporation sources, till May 14, 2008 it had procured over 683,426 metric tons of wheat from Punjab and over 32,573 metric tons from the districts of Khairpur and Nawabshah in Sindh province.
The sources claimed that Passco's 2008 wheat-procurement drive has been adversely conditioned and influenced by diverse factors. As against the assigned target of 1.4 million tons, the organisation has only been allocated 15 Tehsils of Punjab. Punjab invariably constitutes the main area of Passco's wheat procurement efforts. However, some traditional Passco-specific areas of Punjab, where Passco has elaborate storage facilities and physical infrastructure have also been denied to the organisation this year, the sources alleged.
Moreover, even the existing Passco-designated areas of Punjab have been characterised by diminished wheat cultivation and its extensive substitution by sunflower, maize and other crops during the Rabi season, they added.
Notwithstanding these odds and impediments, Passco authorities have expressed their firm resolve and unflinching commitment to continue the wheat-procurement drive with full zeal and enthusiasm. They have already embarked on a massive effort to procure as much wheat from the limited allocated areas as possible, they added.
Passco sources stated that their main strength lies in farmer-friendly approach, transparent and prompt payment as well as efficient services and responsive, positive attitude of the staff. This combination has proved to be a valuable asset, during Passco's quest to procure wheat during 2008, in the face of heavy odds and overwhelming difficulties, they added.
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