Pakistan’s economic managers are planning a significant investment to secure the nation’s food supply amid global uncertainties.
The government is mulling an expenditure of Rs31 billion to maintain strategic wheat stocks.
This move aims to protect food security against potential disruptions from the Middle East conflict.
Strategic Procurement Plan
The Ministry of National Food Security and Research presented the current wheat stock positions across provinces and at the federal level during a recent Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) meeting.
Officials called for procuring additional wheat to build buffer stocks in line with the National Wheat Policy.
The plan emphasizes using existing stocks from PASSCO and commercial reserves first before any imports.
Private Sector Role and Incentives
The ECC approved procuring one million metric tons for federal strategic reserves, including needs for Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
This will happen through transparent competitive bidding involving private sector stakeholders.
Federal government targets 1.5 million tons overall, while provinces will handle 4.75 million tons — Punjab 2.5 million, Sindh 1 million, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 0.75 million, and Balochistan 0.5 million. Total mandated procurement stands at 6.5 million tons.
The bidding process divides 1.5 million tons into 150 lots of 10,000 metric tons each. Qualified bidders need a minimum annual turnover of Rs1 billion and can bid for up to 25 lots.
Incentives for farmers are also proposed to boost local cultivation and reduce future import dependence.
Wheat, a staple for millions, supports rural livelihoods and economic stability.
Pakistan cultivates it on about 22 million acres with annual production of 28-30 million metric tons.
The Rs31 billion funding proposal requires further consultations between the food ministry and Finance Division.
It will be refined with input from the PM’s coordinator on food security and resubmitted to the ECC by mid-May.
This initiative highlights the critical balance between fiscal prudence and ensuring uninterrupted food availability for the population.