Farmers Won’t Grow Wheat Next Year If Fair Prices Aren’t Ensured, Warns Federal Food Minister

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain has issued a stark warning, stating that if farmers are not given fair prices for their wheat, they may not cultivate the crop next year, potentially leading to a major crisis.
Speaking during a Senate Standing Committee on Food Security meeting chaired by Senator Syed Masroor Ahsan, the minister emphasized the challenges facing the agriculture sector. Officials from the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO) briefed the committee on wheat procurement from the previous year.
Senator Dinesh Kumar expressed frustration over missing details related to alleged land document fraud. In response, Minister Rana Tanveer admitted that last year saw rampant corruption in PASSCO, especially in Balochistan, where even wheat sacks and land documents were reportedly sold illegally. He revealed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was furious over the issue and took action, including suspending PASSCO operations.
“Corruption was at its peak. We even deployed monitoring officers to control the situation, but some of them got involved themselves,” said the minister. He cited an example where an official claimed to have paid more in bribes to the FIA than what he had earned through corruption.
Rana Tanveer disclosed that an estimated Rs. 1 billion worth of corruption occurred within PASSCO. When asked about alternatives, he mentioned the government is considering establishing a new body called the “Commodity Wing.”
He added that this year wheat production reached 29 million metric tons, short of the 33 million metric tons target. “This situation will only benefit middlemen. If farmers do not receive fair compensation, they won’t grow wheat next year, and the country will face serious consequences,” the minister warned.
Regarding wheat spoilage, he acknowledged that some wheat was damaged in Balochistan, but claimed the majority remained intact.
When asked how Pakistan compares to neighboring countries, Rana Tanveer admitted, “Our neighbors worked hard in the agriculture sector, and we lagged behind.” He said the government, under Prime Minister’s strict directives, is now focused on reforms, including the crackdown on fake seeds and the promotion of certified and hybrid seeds.
He noted that Pakistan is now importing high-quality cotton hybrid seeds and expects visible improvement in the agriculture sector within the next six months. Responding to a question about seed inspection, the minister explained that Punjab now conducts its own inspections, and other provinces will be given the authority if they request it.
The minister also admitted the Ministry of Food Security is operating at less than 50% of its staffing capacity, severely limiting its performance.
Senator Dinesh Kumar praised the efforts of the Punjab Chief Minister and the Food Minister, suggesting an official visit to Balochistan to assess the situation, which the minister welcomed.