Pakistan : Punjab records over 22m metric tonnes of wheat reserves
Punjab reported wheat production exceeding 22 million metric tonnes, with authorities confirming sufficient reserves. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif ordered AI-based monitoring of wheat stocks, strict anti-hoarding measures, mandatory stock declarations, and steps to maintain affordable flour prices.
LAHORE: The Punjab currently possessed abundant wheat reserves, with this year’s production surpassing 22 million metric tonnes.
Punjab had sufficient wheat stocks and authorities have been asked, to ensure protection of every grain through modern monitoring mechanism.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif was informed in a high-level meeting on Thursday that the province had ample reserves of wheat. Major decisions were taken during the meeting regarding wheat availability, agricultural reforms, food safety and price stability.
Chairing a meeting on wheat, agriculture, food safety and consumer protection, the chief minister directed officials to initiate strict legal action under the Anti-Hoarding Act against those failing to declare their wheat stocks within two weeks.
The meeting decided to establish an AI-based advanced live dashboard for digital monitoring of wheat demand, supply, stocks and price control across the province.
According to the briefing, the system would enable second-to-second monitoring of Punjab’s wheat supply chain and available stocks.
The meeting was informed that licensed aggregators and stockists had been granted legal permission to store wheat in Punjab. It was also decided that all licensed aggregators and stockists would be required to declare their wheat stocks.
The meeting also discussed incentives for aggregators honestly declaring their stocks.
The chief minister directed authorities to provide maximum facilitation and ease of doing business to farmers, aggregators, millers and large stockists.
She also ordered a complete overhaul and revamping of the Food Department in line with modern governance requirements.
Emphasising public relief, she directed officials to keep the prices of roti and “naan” under control and ensure provision of affordable flour across the province.
She further instructed authorities to make the advanced live dashboard operational at the earliest for effective protection and monitoring of wheat stocks.
The participants of the meeting were informed that the live dashboard would ensure real-time digital monitoring of wheat stocks and supply chains throughout Punjab.
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Source : Business Recorder
