Wheat Price Fixed at Rs4,500 per Maund by Consensus

Key Points:

The prime minister, the Punjab chief minister and the chief ministers of the other provinces have agreed by consensus to fix the proposed wheat price at Rs4,500 per maund
Sargodha Division’s wheat sowing target is 1.725 million acres and the Agriculture Department’s field formations have been tasked with sowing on more than the target area
A subsidy of Rs320 million brings a bag of Punjab Seed Corporation certified seed to Rs7,000 after a discount of Rs800 per bag
Farmers are being given Rs150 billion in interest-free loans through the Kissan Card for the Rabi season and an additional Rs17 billion facility for DAP fertiliser

FAISALABAD: Punjab Agriculture Minister Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani said the prime minister, the Punjab chief minister and the chief ministers of other provinces had agreed to fix the proposed wheat price at Rs4,500 per maund.

He was chairing a meeting in Sargodha on the instructions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to promote wheat sowing and achieve the set targets. The sowing target for Sargodha Division is 1.725 million acres.

The department’s field formations have been given special tasks to ensure wheat is sown on more than the target area. Farmers will receive regular advisory services at every stage from sowing to harvest so that per-acre yield increases.

The minister directed the Punjab Seed Corporation to sell its certified wheat seed directly to farmers only through its own sale points.

A subsidy of Rs320 million has been provided on the corporation’s certified seed. After a discount of Rs800 per bag, a bag of seed is available for Rs7,000.

Through the Kissan Card, farmers are being given interest-free loans of Rs150 billion for the Rabi season. An additional interest-free facility of Rs17 billion has been provided for the purchase of DAP fertiliser, under which farmers have received Rs3,500 per acre.

Effective measures are under way on the chief minister’s instructions to end the theft of canal water. The department is also in continuous contact with the Sugar Mills Association on starting the crushing season early.

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Secretary Agriculture Punjab Shakeel Ahmad Mian said the abundant availability of certified wheat seed and fertilisers in markets across the province was being ensured.

A zero-tolerance policy is in force against the adulteration of pesticides and fertilisers, he said. Action against those involved in this trade will continue without discrimination.

Commissioner Sargodha Hafiz Shaukat Ali said wheat sowing would be ensured on lands allocated under the Apna Khet Apna Rozgar programme, the Ghodi Paal programme and the Numberdar grant. The step would help the division play its full part in achieving the provincial government’s targets.

The meeting was attended by MPAs Sultan Ali Ranjha and Mian Ikram-ul-Haq, former MNA Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha, the agriculture secretary, the Sargodha commissioner, deputy commissioners, directors general Naveed Ismat Kahloon, Shahbaz Akhtar and Dr Amir Rasool, farmers and other stakeholders.