PASSCO to procure 1.3mT wheat this year: Minfa

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture (Minfa) Mir Israrullah Zehri Monday told that Pakistan Agriculture Supply and Storage Corporation (PASSCO) would procure 1.3 million tonnes of wheat in 2011 and preparations underway to ensure provision of the announced support price i.e. Rs 950 per 40 kg, and arrange bags and storage materials for the commodity.
The minister expressed these views after receiving a detailed briefing from Maj (Gen) Shafqat Rasool, Managing Director (MD) Pakistan Agricultural Storage & Services Corporation Limited (PASSCO).
“All preparations must be done well in time to ensure procurement of wheat on the officially announced support price. Bags for 8 million tonnes are currently available and bags for the remaining 5 million tonnes will be purchased soon. Creation of 1.01 million tonnes storage capacity in the form of steel silos throughout the country with the assistance of IDB at a cost of $113 million will improve the existing storage capacity,” the minister added.
MD PASSCO informed that the steel silos would be constructed on 34 sites/complexes countrywide to enhance the storage capacity of grains.
IDB’s share in the form of soft loan will be $95 million while the remaining $18 million would be contributed by the government of Pakistan. The project would be completed in four phases over a period of four years.
First phase of the project is proposed to be completed from July 2011 to June 2012 in which 9 complexes would be built, 9 complexes in the 2nd Phase while 8 each in the 3rd and 4th phase will bring the project to its end in June 2015.
“Supply of certified seed to the maximum number of farmers would greatly enhance the agricultural output in the country. Strict measures must be observed to ensure the availability of quality seed.
Efforts are being sped up to certify seed for IRRI-6 variety of rice for the upcoming sowing season. Proposals and plans should be worked out to turn Federal Seed Certification & Registration Department (FSC & RD) into a revenue generation entity”, Zehri said after a briefing by Syed Muhammad Nasir Ali, Director General (DG) FSC&RD.

(Source: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011\02\22\story_22-2-2011_pg5_11)