Passco procures record quantity of 18,09,072 metric tons of wheat till May 17

Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (Passco) has procured record quantity of 18,09,072 metric tons wheat up to 17th May 2009, which is an all-time high benchmark. Passco's original wheat procurement target was 1.5 million tons, which was enhanced to two million tons by the Federal Government, on April 30, 2009. Out of the procured quantity, the bulk ie, 17,47,125 metric tons has been procured in Punjab.
The procurement in Sindh is to the tune of 39,294 metric tons, while 22,653 metric tons wheat has been procured in Balochistan. According to a Passco spokesman, at this pace and keeping in view the size of 2009 wheat-crop, the Corporation hopes to surpass two million tons target allocated by the Federal Government. The organisation (Passco) is buying wheat in designated 15 Tehsils of Punjab, with token presence in Sindh (Khairpur) and in Balochistan (Dera Allah Yar).
The organisation has made all necessary arrangements to buy wheat up to 2 million tons and can comfortably cater for limited additional procurement, to absorb any marketable surplus of wheat after it has reached the revised target of 2 million tons. Passco management, in co-ordination with Provincial Government Punjab, has constituted well-configured Committees under the aegis of DCOs at every procurement centre, to address the problems of growers. These committees are working strictly in conformity with the arrangements of the Punjab Provincial Government.
Passco management has unequivocally extended the reassurance that its wheat procurement drive will continue till the time all marketable surplus of wheat, in its designated procurement areas, has been lifted. Furthermore, Passco has made adequate financial, administrative and logistic arrangements to ensure smooth and unimpeded wheat procurement. The organisation has geared itself to go beyond the assigned target of 2 million tons, if required. For this all arrangements have already been made. Passco has made ample arrangements for Bardana (jute bags) and the same is being provided to all growers without problems/impediments, the spokesman added.
Passco has opened a helpline to address any complaints, including direct mobile/PTCL number of the MD Passco and General Manager (Field). Passco management has expressed its resolve to ensure transparency, hassle-free transactions and prompt payment to farmers, the spokesman concluded.