The government on Monday said that it was anticipating 1.5 million tons decline in wheat production in this season as compared to last year, flashing another alarm light for poor who are already struggling because of a worsening flour crisis.
An estimated 21.8 million tons produce will be 2.2 million tons short of a target set for the crop, officials from food ministry told a Senate panel. Authorities originally estimated output of major food grain for this year as high as 24 million tons. But high ups would have to revise it downward when they will meet for a biannual crops' review next week.
Officials briefed the Senate Standing Committee on Food, Agriculture and Livestock chaired by Senator Muhammad Amjad Abbas. However, Additional Secretary Shahid Hussain Raja and Agriculture Development Commissioner (ADC) Dr Qadir Bux Baloch expressed belief that even lowered estimates were enough to meet domestic consumption, which they put at around 21.5 million tons.
The committee members protested over the ongoing wheat and flour crisis in the country and sought explanation behind the worsening situation. The panel was told that smuggling of wheat and flour to the neighbouring countries, including India, Afghanistan and Iran was still going unchecked, which has deepen the crisis in Pakistan.
INTER-PROVINCIAL BAN: Minfal officials said that they had received reports from parts of Punjab province where local authorities had placed a ban on either the inter-provincial or district transportation of the commodity.
The committee decided to take up the matter with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani after authorities said that it sharply contradicts with the provisions of the country's constitution.
Abbas observed that there should be no forcible procurement of wheat in any area. The senators demanded that the support price of wheat must be announced not later than October every year to benefit farmers. The meeting was further informed that Pakistan would soon sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with world reputed firm Monsanto that was willing to provide seeds of BT cotton. In a presentation, the Minfal officials told the committee members that the proposed target of cotton for 2008-09 was 14.11 million bales whereas the requirement of local industry was somewhere 14 to 15 million bales.
Furthermore, the government believes that the cotton production would be increased to 20 million bales till 2015. The standing committee directed the Minfal authorities to use only standardised and certified variety of seeds for cotton production and called for strict check on proliferation of unapproved and substandard varieties, which are literally playing havoc with the yields. The committee also called for stringent measures to prevent adulteration in pesticides and greater outreach of agricultural extension-services to salvage the country's premier export.
It also called for early adoption of the redrafted "Cotton Control Act" by the National Assembly, which would cover all issues relating to cotton and textile. The committee directed the ministry and the research organisation under its control to expedite efforts for fighting and addressing mealy-bug problems in cotton.