Steps taken to make Punjab strong in terms of food security

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has taken steps to make Punjab a strong province in terms of food security.

Sources said the recently formed new department, “Price Control and Commodities Management Department” has been directed to form the Strategic Management Unit to improve demand and supply forecasting chain. The department was created to control prices of essential commodities, end hoarding and to work for food security.

The unit will include financial experts for decision-making, lawyers specialising in international in the province with Rs10 billion.

Sources said the chief minister took notice of the fact that focus was only on demand for essential commodities, not supply, which created many problems.

The Punjab government will give interest-free loans to eligible commission agents in all districts through the Agricultural Marketing Fund. These agents will make deals based on the demand for essential commodities before the season begins. When the time comes, neither there will be shortage of essentials nor any increase in their prices.

For the first time in Punjab, it has been decided to create “agripreneurs”. These agripreneurs will include educated persons and businessmen from other fields who will be given interest-free loans of up to Rs5 million to build digital platforms. This will allow the authorities to focus on digital markets.