Sindh Chief Minister Prioritizes Small Farmers in Wheat Procurement Drive
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has issued urgent directives to the provincial Food Department to commence immediate fumigation of wheat storage godowns and initiate procurement operations for the new wheat crop. The chief minister emphasized a special focus on purchasing wheat from small-scale growers who have previously benefited from government seed subsidy programs. These instructions were delivered during a high-level joint meeting of the Agriculture and Food departments convened at the CM House in Karachi on Monday.
High-Level Meeting Attended by Key Officials
The significant meeting saw the participation of prominent provincial figures, including Provincial Food Minister Makhdoom Mehboobuz Zaman, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Secretary to CM Asif Jameel Sheikh, Secretary Food Abbas Naich, DG Agriculture Allah Waryo Rind, Director Food Allah Dino Channa, and various other senior officials. Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah underscored that the government's foremost priority is to extend robust support to small farmers while ensuring complete transparency throughout the wheat procurement and stock management processes.
Current Wheat Stock Status and Market Stabilization Measures
During the proceedings, Food Minister Makhdoom Mahboob Zaman provided a detailed briefing, revealing that over 1.3 million tonnes of wheat stock remains available until July 2025. The majority of this stock has already been released into the market, with only a minor quantity still remaining in storage. Taking immediate notice of this residual stock, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah directed the Food Department to expedite the disposal of the remaining wheat. This decisive action aims to stabilize market prices and create essential storage capacity for the impending procurement of the new wheat harvest.
Emphasis on Hygienic Storage and Procurement Preparedness
Murad Ali Shah further instructed officials to guarantee thorough fumigation and maintain impeccable cleanliness across all wheat godowns. This measure is critical to ensure the safe and hygienic storage of grain, preserving its quality and preventing spoilage. Discussing the procurement strategy for the new wheat crop, the chief minister directed the food departments to begin comprehensive preparations without delay, ensuring the procurement process commences promptly and efficiently.
Targeted Support for Subsidized Small Growers
The chief minister made a pivotal decision that wheat procurement should explicitly prioritize small growers, particularly those who have received seed subsidies from the Sindh government. Officials informed the meeting that the government has provided seed subsidies to approximately 1.3 million small farmers, each owning between one and 25 acres of land. The Agriculture Department maintains an extensive and verified database of these beneficiaries, which will be utilized to streamline and target the procurement efforts effectively.
Transparent Distribution and Policy Formulation
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah issued specific directives that the distribution of bardana (gunny bags) must be conducted strictly in accordance with the verified farmers' data. This protocol ensures that small farmers receive absolute priority during the procurement process. Additionally, the CM instructed the Agriculture and Food departments to collaboratively develop a clear, transparent, and equitable procurement policy. This policy will govern the fair distribution of bardana, facilitate smooth wheat procurement operations, and ensure efficient management of existing wheat stocks.
Strengthening Food Security and Farmer Welfare
The chief minister emphasized that these comprehensive measures are designed to protect the economic interests of small farmers, ensure market stability by preventing price fluctuations, and significantly strengthen the province's overall food security system. By focusing on subsidized small growers and maintaining transparent processes, the Sindh government aims to foster agricultural sustainability and support rural livelihoods.
