November 22, 2011

A summary of its approval to maintain wheat support price at PKR950 (US$10.88) for the forthcoming crop will be sent by Pakistan's Ministry of National Food Security and Research to Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet.

While taking to Plus News Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Mir Israr ullah Zehri said that his ministry has plan to send a summary to ECC in order to keep wheat support price at PKR950 (US$10.88) as it will not go a long way to help common man.

He told that farmers' organisations were demanding the government since long to raise the wheat support price from PKR950-1,150 (US$10.88-13.19) per maund but it will not go a long way to help common man as increase in support price of wheat would result in looming surge in price of atta.

"Pakistan has enough stocks of eight million tonnes of wheat and we are expecting a bumper crop for upcoming year as our efforts are focused to ensure the availability of urea for the upcoming Rabbi season", the minister added.

The farmers' organisations have the view that due to increase in inflation, prices of fertilizers, seeds, pesticides and transport charges were needed for increase in wheat support price.

While dispelling fears of food crises in upcoming days, minister said that ensuring food security is the foremost responsibility of the government and provision of agricultural inputs is crucially important to intact food security in the country.