Balochistan Approves Rs5 Billion for Wheat Procurement

The Balochistan government has approved an allocation of Rs5 billion for wheat procurement, aiming to purchase 500,000 tonnes of wheat directly from farmers. The decision was made during a high-level meeting of the Food Department chaired by Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti on Friday.

Why this matters: This move has significant implications for the local agricultural sector, as it aims to provide relief to farmers and ensure transparency in the procurement process. Moreover, the success of this initiative could set a precedent for other provinces to follow, ultimately contributing to the country's food security.

The wheat procurement process will commence on Monday across Balochistan. Half of the approved Rs5 billion will be released on Monday, with the remaining amount to be allocated later this month. An immediate allocation of Rs13.9 million was also approved for acquiring essential bags for the procurement process.

Chief Minister Bugti reiterated his commitment to providing relief to farmers and ensuring transparency in the functioning of the Food Department. "We wanted to provide relief to the farmers while our effort was to ensure that the benefits of agricultural production go directly to the farmers instead of middlemen and benefit the people associated with the agricultural sector," he stated.

The Chief Minister also acknowledged past mismanagement in the Food Department, which led to officers being reluctant to carry out routine duties and caused delays in departmental matters, including wheat procurement. "Due to the bad deeds of the past, the officers of the Food Department were reluctant to carry out the normal Departmental affairs, because of which, most of the departmental affairs including wheat procurement remain at a standstill, but now we have determined that we would bring transparency by removing the scandals from the Food Department," Bugti asserted.

The meeting reviewed the wheat procurement policy and plan for 2024, and the tendering process for purchasing new bags has been initiated. The Food Department currently has 58,000 bags of grain remaining from last year's distribution, which will be distributed equally among all districts.

The session was attended by key officials, including Provincial Food Minister Noor Muhammad Dummar, Mir Tariq Magsi, Chief Secretary Balochistan Shakeel Qadir Khan, Secretary Food Balochistan Asghar Harifal, and other related officials. The Chief Minister directed that sufficient measures be taken to protect the stocks of wheat purchased at the government level from rains, floods, and other natural calamities.

The Balochistan government's approval of Rs5 billion for wheat procurement demonstrates its commitment to supporting local farmers and ensuring food security in the province. By purchasing wheat directly from farmers, the government aims to provide them with relief and ensure that the benefits of agricultural production reach the people associated with the sector. The Chief Minister's emphasis on transparency and rooting out corruption in the Food Department underscores the administration's resolve to streamline operations and restore public trust.

Key Takeaways

• Balochistan government allocates Rs5 billion for wheat procurement.
• Aims to purchase 500,000 tonnes of wheat directly from farmers.
• The procurement process is to start on Monday, with Rs2.5 billion released initially.
• Chief Minister prioritizes transparency and relief for farmers.
• The government aims to ensure food security and support the local agricultural sector.