Farmers achieve 70 maunds of wheat per acre in Pakistan
The government has proposed a wheat support price of Rs4,500 per maund and a strategic reserve of up to six million metric tons.
Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain praised farmers on Tuesday for reaching a wheat yield of 70 maunds per acre, the state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported.
Hussain described the result as a remarkable achievement for the country's agricultural sector while speaking at the "Sarsabz Ki Jeet" event in Lahore.
The event was organized by Fatima Fertilizer to recognize high-performing wheat farmers, the minister said.
Higher per-acre productivity would strengthen national food security and open opportunities for wheat exports and foreign exchange earnings, Hussain said.
He said the government's priorities include raising per-acre productivity, reducing production costs, improving farmers' incomes and strengthening national food security.
To support these goals, the government has introduced a National Wheat Policy, Hussain said.
The policy includes a proposed wheat support price of Rs4,500 per maund, he said.
It also includes a strategy to maintain strategic reserves of up to six million metric tons to safeguard national requirements, the minister said.
Wheat is a staple food in Pakistan, and support prices are a key tool the government uses to guide farmers' planting and selling decisions.
Strategic reserves help the country meet domestic needs when harvests fall short or prices become unstable.
