Report: Reporter ANI
ISLAMABAD –PTI Kisan Wing Central Information Secretary Khalid Nawaz Sadhraich has warned that water shortages, rising agricultural costs and concerns over government wheat stocks are threatening Pakistan’s food security, urging the government to take immediate action.
Sadhraich said Punjab and Sindh were facing a reported 22 per cent water shortage during the current Rabi season, with availability estimated at around 22 million acre-feet against a requirement of approximately 38 million acre-feet. He added that inadequate rainfall had also affected wheat cultivation in Balochistan.
He said the estimated production cost of wheat had reached Rs3,761 per maund, while rising DAP fertiliser and high-speed diesel prices had increased farmers’ financial burden. According to him, reduced cultivation could lead to a potential wheat shortfall of three million tonnes and an additional import bill of US$1.2 billion.
Expressing concern over reports of deteriorated government wheat stocks in Karachi’s Landhi area, Sadhraich said claims that some grain was up to four years old and unfit for human consumption raised questions about storage management and food security.
He called for the construction of water reservoirs, fair distribution of available water, financial relief for farmers and an early announcement of clear wheat pricing policies.
Sadhraich warned that delays in government decisions could reduce domestic wheat production, increase import costs and deepen financial difficulties for farmers.
