Food ministry proposes import of black pulses from Australia
Punjab govt warns of commodity shortage by the end of year
Like other pulses, the consumption of black pulses has shot up to an all-time high in Pakistan including in the armed forces that is why its availability is considered important to avoid any shortage. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
The Ministry of National Food Security and Research has prepared a summary for consideration of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) that recommends import of 25,000 tons of black pulses to meet domestic requirements.
The proposal has been given on the suggestion of Punjab that had alerted the federal government about possible shortage of the essential commodity by the end of this year because of low production within the country.
Global market demand hikes pulse prices
“The food ministry has prepared a summary and it will soon be sent to the ECC for approval; it will pave the way for import of 25,000 tons of black pulses by the Trading Corporation of Pakistan,” said a senior officer in the ministry.
“We have been informed by Punjab’s provincial government that a shortage will soon emerge so that we should take steps accordingly,” said the officer.
As a result, officials have decided that pulses will be imported from Australia on which Pakistan mostly depends to bridge the gap.
According to the officer, at present the country faces a total shortage of 250,000 tons and the ministry has decided to immediately put forward a summary for the commodity’s import through the TCP and the remaining needs will be met by the private sector.
According to officials of the food security ministry, the country’s total consumption of black pulses is more or less one million tons and the domestic production stands at around 0.8 million tons. The remaining quantity is imported to close the gap.
“We have taken necessary steps so that timely imports can be made,” said the officer.
Fertiliser import cost to be passed on to farmers
The process of importing through the TCP would take at least three months and advance preparations were necessary to make the commodity available at the time of need, said the officer.
Like other pulses, the consumption of black pulses has shot up to an all-time high in Pakistan including in the armed forces that is why its availability is considered important to avoid any shortage.
Pakistan depends on Australia, Myanmar, Tanzania and Ethiopia for pulses import to meet the demand every year.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 23rd, 2016.
The Ministry of National Food Security and Research has prepared a summary for consideration of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) that recommends import of 25,000 tons of black pulses to meet domestic requirements.
The proposal has been given on the suggestion of Punjab that had alerted the federal government about possible shortage of the essential commodity by the end of this year because of low production within the country.
Global market demand hikes pulse prices
“The food ministry has prepared a summary and it will soon be sent to the ECC for approval; it will pave the way for import of 25,000 tons of black pulses by the Trading Corporation of Pakistan,” said a senior officer in the ministry.
“We have been informed by Punjab’s provincial government that a shortage will soon emerge so that we should take steps accordingly,” said the officer.
As a result, officials have decided that pulses will be imported from Australia on which Pakistan mostly depends to bridge the gap.
According to the officer, at present the country faces a total shortage of 250,000 tons and the ministry has decided to immediately put forward a summary for the commodity’s import through the TCP and the remaining needs will be met by the private sector.
According to officials of the food security ministry, the country’s total consumption of black pulses is more or less one million tons and the domestic production stands at around 0.8 million tons. The remaining quantity is imported to close the gap.
“We have taken necessary steps so that timely imports can be made,” said the officer.
Fertiliser import cost to be passed on to farmers
The process of importing through the TCP would take at least three months and advance preparations were necessary to make the commodity available at the time of need, said the officer.
Like other pulses, the consumption of black pulses has shot up to an all-time high in Pakistan including in the armed forces that is why its availability is considered important to avoid any shortage.
Pakistan depends on Australia, Myanmar, Tanzania and Ethiopia for pulses import to meet the demand every year.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 23rd, 2016.