KARACHI: The Sindh government has decided to propose Rs2,000 as the minimum support price per 40 kg bag of wheat in an attempt to support the farmers who are worst affected by the alarming inflation.
Addressing a press conference in Karachi, provincial government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab strongly criticized PTI-led federal government for its decision to import wheat from Russia and Ukraine.
Murtaza Wahab pointed out that the imported wheat cost around Rs2,100 per 40kg. “The imported wheat is expensive and of poor quality,” he added.
He asserted that the federal cabinet had decided to import wheat at a time when the government wasn’t ready to procure better quality locally-produced wheat from the farmers.
In order incentivise the farmer to grow wheat & ensure food security of our nation, the #SindhGovt has decided to propose the minimum support price of Rs 2,000 per 40 KG bag of wheat to the Federal Govt
— Murtaza Wahab Siddiqui (@murtazawahab1) October 29, 2020
Talking about the rising sugarcane prices, Murtaza Wahab said that the crushing season would start from November 30 and recalled that how the sugar crisis was created in the country. “The government is powerless against the mafia as the sugar price had reached Rs110 per kg,” he added.
The provincial government’s proposal comes two days after the federal cabinet’s economic decision-making body endorsed the minimum wheat procurement price to be set at Rs1,600 per 40kg – giving just a 0.8% profit margin to farmers.
Amid the wheat crisis which worsened despite the harvesting carried out four months ago, the PTI has been facing severe criticism as the Punjab government increased the support price for wheat by Rs200 to Rs1,400 – a move rejected by both the allies and the opposition.
