Rice crop in surplus despite floods, NA told

Parliamentary secretary says production stands at 5.4MMT against 3.8MMT consumption

ISLAMABAD:

Parliamentary Secretary for National Food Security and Research Ahmad Raza Maneka on Friday said the rice crop production was in surplus despite flood devastation.

Responding to a query of Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) MNA, Ghous Bux Khan Maher during the Question Hour of the 51st session of the National Assembly, he said the wheat stocks were properly stored and preserved from damages during the 2022 floods.

However, the rice production was 5.4 million metric tonnes (MMT) against the local consumption of 3.8MMT last year, he added.

Maher posed the question that what measures the government had taken to enhance rice crop yield as the production had declined to one-third?

MNA Wajiha Qamar of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) also queried that what measures were being taken to ensure climate-resistant crops adaptable to shifting weather patterns amid prevailing growing environmental degradation and climate change?

Maneka responded that innovative methods of farming, hybrid seeds and farmers' training could only ensure increase in crop yield. He said the latest methods and techniques of crop cultivation were the only remedy that was being imparted to the farmers.

MNA Salahuddin demanded of the housing ministry to provide details related to plots allotted to 16 employees of Grade-16 and above of the ministry. He added that the ministry should also clarify that either any of these officials were awarded more than one plot.

Parliamentary Secretary for Housing and Works Syed Mehmood Shah said the 16 employees of the ministry were not yet allotted plots but rather it was announced, whereas none of them availed dual plots in this case and the possession of these plots would be given after June.