'Wheat policy finalised after consultations'

ISLAMABAD:

The National Assembly was informed on Friday that the National Wheat Policy 2026–30 has been prepared in consultation with the provinces, focusing on a comprehensive roadmap for mechanisation and the establishment of a National Agri Trade and Food Safety Authority to boost exports, Radio Pakistan reported.

During question hour, the parliamentary secretary told the House that the policy would be approved by the Cabinet before the budget.

She said a National Seed Development and Regulatory Authority has already been established to strengthen and modernise the seed sector by improving regulation and promoting high-yielding and climate-resilient crop varieties.

On Thursday, Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain while briefing the Senate Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research, said floods, heat waves and changing weather patterns have adversely affected wheat production in Pakistan and the target initially fixed could not be achieved this year.

The minister said wheat production target had initially been fixed at 30 million tonnes, but the estimates had subsequently been revised downward owing to climatic impacts.

He said farmers' organisations had demanded a wheat support price of Rs3,200 per maund, while the government fixed the price at Rs3,500. According to the minister, the production cost of wheat currently stands at approximately Rs2,600 per maund.

The minister said provinces had failed to evolve consensus on wheat procurement targets, adding that the Sindh government had announced procurement of only 100,000 tons of wheat. "The provinces are not cooperating in the agricultural sector and problems have increased after devolution," he stated.

He added that effective cooperation between the federation and provinces was indispensable for overcoming agricultural challenges and ensuring food security. The committee was also informed about consultations with provinces regarding the national seed policy. "After passage of the budget, a policy will be brought through consensus," he stated.