Karachi: The Sindh Cabinet has decided to set the procurement target of wheat crop (2022-23) at 1.4 MMT at Rs 4,000 per 40 kg.
A meeting was held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah in Chief Minister House in which provincial ministers, advisors, special assistants, Chief Secretary Sohail Rajput, Chairman P&D Hasan Naqvi, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Sindh Fayaz Jatoi and other relevant officers participated. .
Food Minister Mukesh Chawla, while briefing the cabinet, said that 4 million tonnes of wheat was harvested this year, which is a good harvest despite heavy rains and flood damage. Mukesh Chawla said that the government has already fixed a support price of Rs 4000 per 40 kg but the cabinet has to fix the procurement target so that procurement at the centers can start from the second week of February 2023.
The Cabinet after detailed consideration decided to set a procurement target of 1.4 MMT and directed the department to achieve the target. Sindh Chief Minister said that procurement should be started directly from the farmers so that the benefit of the good price given by the government can reach the farmers.
In response to a question, Mukesh Chawla said that the Food Department has available carryover bardana to the extent of 0.40 mmt. On this, the Chief Minister of Sindh instructed them that the areas of Mirpurkhas and Hyderabad, where early crops are cultivated, should be used for the purchase of Bardana. The Food Minister said that 10 lakh PP bags will be purchased to meet the target requirement of 1.4 MMT of wheat.
The Chief Minister of Sindh while giving policy guidelines to the food department regarding the purchase of wheat said that wheat should be purchased from the farmers on first come first served basis. Bardana should be provided to the farmers. He made it clear to the department that the field staff involved in embezzlement/shortage or misappropriation will not be posted as in-charge of procurement centres.
Murad Ali Shah also directed the department to check the arrival of wheat from other provinces and export of wheat from Sindh for which he directed the district administration to cooperate with the department for this purpose.
According to Chief Minister Sindh’s Advisor on Climate Change, Agriculture and Water Management, Manzoor Wasan, while briefing the cabinet on changing the Indus Basin with agriculture and water management in view of climate change, said that the aim of the organization is to respond to climate change. The administrative and regulatory system is to be strengthened.
He further said that information should be provided to people regarding climate change and steps should be taken in light of it. Manzoor Wasan said that by providing information regarding climate change, decisions regarding climate change can be made. He said that along with creating awareness among farmers regarding the dangers of climate change and their reduction, their capacity will also be developed in this regard.
Manzoor Wasan further said that this is a Rs 3.4 billion project which is being initiated with the support of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The cabinet while approving the plan directed the agriculture department to inform the members of assembly about the benefits of the plan and start conducting workshops in the districts.
On the request of the Health Department, the Cabinet allotted 40 acres of land for the construction of the state-of-the-art Sindh Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases in Tapa Landhi District, Korangi. The Cabinet approved the appointment of Imtiaz Ali Shah as the Managing Director of Sindh Energy Efficiency and Conservation Agency. .
Energy Minister Imtiaz Shaikh told the cabinet that Imtiaz Shah has been selected from nine candidates who had also applied for the post. The Cabinet also approved the nomination of Dr. Nazir Kalhoro, DG Sindh Institute of Animal Health as a member of the Pakistan Veterinary Medical Council (PVMC) for the current term.
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