Sindh to buy wheat from PASSCO amid shortage

The Sindh government has decided to purchase wheat from PASSCO after facing a shortage of more than 1.6 million metric tons of wheat, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Friday. 

According to report, wheat will be purchased from PASSCO at the rate of Rs4,150 per 40 kg. 

The Sindh government will purchase wheat stockpiled for 2024 from PASSCO. 

This year, the Sindh government had set a price of Rs3,500 per 40 kg for buying wheat from farmers.

PASSCO has offered to give 220,665 metric tons of wheat to Sindh. Farmers did not give wheat to the government due to the low rate.

The Sindh government had set a target of purchasing one million metric tons of wheat and now the Sindh government is purchasing wheat Rs650 expensive than its fixed price for 40 kilograms.

The Sindh government also has decided to import 500,000 metric tons of wheat from foreign countries.

According to Food Department, the province is facing a shortage of more than 1.6 million metric tons of wheat.

The requirement of wheat in Sindh is 6.53 million metric tons while wheat production in Sindh has exceeded 4.7 million metric tons.

There are reserves of 140,000 metric tons of old wheat. 

Due to high prices in the open market, department could not purchase wheat from farmers. Wheat will have to be imported due to shortage of wheat. 

The Sindh cabinet has approved the import of wheat yesterday.

Reporter: Aajiz Jamali