Federal Minister for Food Rana Tanveer Hussain on Thursday revealed alleged corruption in the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (Passco), amounting to around Rs1 billion.
During a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on National Food Security, held under the chairmanship of Masroor Ahsan, Hussain confirmed that corruption did indeed occur in Passco.
"This is why the government is considering establishing a Commodity Wing as an alternative institution," he added. The minister further stated that wheat production this year reached 29 million metric tons, falling short of the target of 33 million metric tons.
He expressed concerns that the open market wheat policy might benefit middlemen, and if farmers do not receive fair compensation for their crops, wheat cultivation could be adversely affected next year.
Senator Danesh Kumar from Balochistan voiced concern over the deteriorating state of wheat, warning that if the crop is wasted, it could turn into a major scandal.
The federal minister clarified that although a portion of the crop was affected, the majority of the wheat was still safe.
Hussain also mentioned ongoing efforts to improve seed quality. He said action has been taken against those involved in the sale of fake seeds.
He said hybrid seeds are being imported, while local seed production is also underway.
The minister admitted that there is a severe shortage of manpower in the Ministry of Food with available resources operating at less than 50% capacity. He said Pakistan's agriculture sector still relies on outdated systems, while neighboring countries have made significant progress.
The meeting also discussed the appointment of the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) chairman, internal politics within the institution, and Pakistan's position in smart agriculture.
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