Daily Times (20/06/2021) - Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) for Food Security and Research Jamshed Iqbal Cheema said that following the effective measures taken by the present government, Pakistan was now moving towards stopping the import of agricultural commodities.

In a meeting with office-bearers and members of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) here at FPCCI Regional Office, he said that food demand increased with growth in population, and “We have streamlined the wheat procurement and ensured proper returns to farmers for their hard work by increasing the wheat price to Rs 1800 per 40kg from Rs 1400, besides giving subsidy on wheat flour to the end consumer. The government will continue to facilitate the common man”.

Cheema mentioned that in Pakistan, wheat flour consumption was 108 kg per person per year. He explained that though wheat production was 1.5 million tonnes in surplus this year, three million tonnes was being imported so as to meet the 120-day strategic reserves. A food dashboard was also being developed to monitor the food demand and supply as well as storage situation etc. Magistrates were being appointed in every market to control price-hike.

Read more at https://dailytimes.com.pk/775876/pakistan-now-moving-towards-stopping-agri-imports-cheema/