Wheat output targets delayed till finalisation of price

The Federal Committee on Agriculture could not fix production targets for Rabi crops at its Wednesday meeting, even though wheat sowing starts within weeks. Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain chaired the session. A ministry press release said the targets will be finalised only after an illustrative wheat price is announced.

The prime minister had earlier formed an eight-member panel, led by his adviser on inter-provincial coordination, to propose steps for the coming sowing period. Its members include federal and provincial ministers, provincial chief secretaries and the head of the Pakistan Banking Association. Hussain acknowledged that farmers are grappling with higher costs for inputs, energy and transport, and promised affordable inputs and fair returns.

Water and weather conditions also weigh on the season. The ministry anticipates a 22 per cent shortage of irrigation water for Punjab and Sindh, against a provincial allocation of 29.18 MAF. Meteorologists expect soil moisture stress in October and November after three months of below-normal rain, though rainfall is projected to be above normal over the coming two months. Certified seed supply for Rabi was described as satisfactory, while sugarcane, rice, maize, mungbean and chillies all rose compared with the previous year.