Federal Minister for Food, Agriculture and Livestock, Sikandar Hayat Bosan on Tuesday said that per acre yield of wheat has increased in the country from 5-7 maund per acre. He was talking to newsmen after the inaugural session of 'Food & Agro-Asia 2005' moot here. The topic of the conference was "Higher National Productivity of Food and Agriculture Products, Equipment, Machinery and Service". Responding to a question about high prices of atta, Bosan said that complaints regarding availability of wheat flour at high prices are not based on facts. He categorically stated that wheat flour is available at Rs 12.50 per kg all over the country.
However, he said that wheat flour price will be reduced within next two weeks, with the arrival of more wheat stocks in the market. He maintained that the government has already taken foolproof steps to ensure payment of support price of wheat to the growers.
To another question about increasing prices of sugar, he said the government has also taken necessary steps to ensure availability of sugar at reasonable rates. He said that Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) has sufficient stocks of sugar. However, he admitted that some market forces are bent upon to increase the sugar prices.
Earlier, addressing the conference, the minister said that presently Pakistan's agriculture sector is passing through a critical development phase, as it is moving from conventional production of commodities to value addition and agro based industries, which would increase the income of growers and productivity of land.
He said the government is striving for a sustained five percent annual growth rate in the agriculture sector, which would be achieved through improving the productivity of crops, livestock and related agriculture sub-sectors.
Speaking on the occasion, Provincial Minister for Agriculture Marketing, Rana Qasim Noon said the government has been implementing new agri-laws for the betterment of growers.
Saqib Mohyuddin, chief executive officer of National Productivity Organisation (NPO), Chairman Organising Committee, Mian Fazal Ahmed also spoke on the occasion.