ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research on Monday asked the food ministry to increase wheat support price to Rs1,800 per 40kg, citing the example of wheat producing countries in the region which have substantially enhanced the support price.
Secretary National Food Security Ghufran Memon informed the NA committee that the production cost of wheat for 2020-21 crops has been estimated at Rs1,586.88 per 40kgs at market level in Punjab, based on the field survey carried out by Agriculture Price Institute.
Based on the figures revealed by the secretary, the standing committee meeting — chaired by MNA Rao Muhammad Ajmal Khan — asked the Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFSR) to increase the wheat support price to Rs1,800 per 40kgs.
The federal cabinet at its meeting last month had fixed Rs1,650 as the minimum support price for 40kg wheat, with Minister for Information Shibli Faraz stating that the enhanced increased rate would be beneficial to both masses as well as farmers.
The MNFSR was in favour of enhancing the support price to Rs1,800 per 40kg. The Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet had also fixed the minimum support price of upcoming wheat crop at Rs1,650 per 40kg.
Memon informed the NA committee that the minimum support price of wheat in India was reported at Rs1,925 in Oct 2019. This price has been increased by 4.6 per cent from the previous year.
In terms of Pak rupee equivalent, the minimum support price works out at Rs1,725 per 40kg. In China, the government has increased minimum support price of wheat for 2020-21 season at Pak Rs2,001 per 40kg, the committee was informed.
The NA body also directed that the rate of electricity should be reduced from Rs9.35 to Rs5.35 per unit.
On the occasion, the Citrus Exporters Association raised the issue of Rs250 per maund reduction in fruit price to Rs600 per maund from Rs850.
The MNFSR informed the committee that the prices of any fruit or vegetable do not come under the domain of the federal government.
However, the committee directed Deputy Commissioner Sargodha to hold a meeting with growers and exporters to resolve the issue at the earliest.
Published in Dawn, December 29th, 2020
