Food Security Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain stated on Monday that the federal government will keep strategic wheat reserves of up to 6 million tonnes to guarantee steady supplies and stop shortages throughout Pakistan. During a press conference held in Islamabad, Hussain mentioned that the nation possessed adequate wheat supplies to satisfy local requirements during the year. He also stated that authorities were ready to tackle potential market issues and secure access to the main food item.
Govt Sets Wheat Price at Rs. 4,500 per 40kg
This statement by the minister followed a decision by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif a few days prior, fixing the indicative wheat price for 2027 at Rs. 4,500 per 40kg, which represents a rise of Rs. 1,000 compared to the cost from the year before.
Hussain explained that authorities settled on this indicative rate after holding talks with every provincial government. He noted that the choice would steady the local wheat market, safeguard the welfare of growers, and open doors for selling wheat abroad in the coming year.
The minister pointed out that foreign wheat would likewise run at roughly Rs. 4,500 per 40kg, turning local purchasing into a better choice. He repeated that the administration would put local farmers first rather than depending on foreign purchases without need.
Govt Releases Wheat Stocks to Provinces
Hussain revealed that provincial governments received over 1.3 million tonnes of wheat drawn from the reserves held by the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation, known as Passco.
He mentioned that authorities could additionally set up foreign purchases reaching up to 550,000 tonnes of wheat, relying on what provinces need and how much the market asks for.
Addressing recent ups and downs in wheat costs with worry, Hussain called the current rise fake and pointed fingers at specific market groups for fixing rates.
He stated that ample wheat supplies existed nationwide and showed faith that costs would go back to normal in the upcoming days. Authorities kept a close watch on market changes and planned to act against fake shortages, market tricks, and unfair price hikes.
Govt Announces Wider Agricultural Reforms
Hussain shared that the central government also worked on steps to boost farming output, better market rules, and secure basic food supplies.
He added that rules involving seeds, olives, and biotech had been drawn up to update Pakistan farming, raise crop yields, and back new ideas. The minister stressed that good seeds, modern farming tools, and strict rules played a key role in boosting output and cutting what farmers spend to grow crops.
Khalid Mahmood Khokhar, who leads Pakistan Kissan Ittehad, was glad about the official choice to fix the indicative wheat rate at Rs. 4,500 per 40kg. He showed happiness over the talks held and stated that growers required a steady, fair rate for their crops.
In the previous month, the group had asked for a floor price of Rs. 5,000 per 40kg, cautioning that growers might skip planting wheat for the following season if officials waited too long to share crop plans.
The group also pointed out that growers found it hard to pay for proper fertilizer because they failed to make back their growing expenses.
