ISLAMABAD (May 18 2009): Governments of Punjab, Sindh and Passco have purchased 8.2 million tons wheat so far from the farmers as the Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani directed to keep up the procurement drive for the convenience of the farmers. Ministry of food and agriculture (Minfa) gave a detailed briefing on wheat procurement to the Prime Minister here on Sunday.

Minfa informed that Punjab government purchased 5 million tons, Sindh 1.5 million tons and Passco 1.5 million tons exceeding the overall procurement target of 6.5 million tons. The Prime Minister appreciated the endeavors of Passco and governments of the Punjab and Sindh in achieving the wheat procurement targets.

He assured the farmers that procurement operation would continue till their surplus wheat is exhausted. The procurement target of 6.5 million tons wheat fixed for this year has been surpassed and the federal and provincial governments are continuing procurement of wheat over and above the target, he said. He said a breakthrough in wheat production has been made possible by a number of policy interventions of the government and foremost among them is the increase in the guaranteed minimum price from Rs 625 to Rs 950 per 40/kg fixed by the government well before the sowing season of wheat.