‘Direct wheat purchase from small farmers priority’

SIALKOT: Punjab Sports Minister Jahangir Khanzada Wednesday said direct wheat purchase from small farmers was the top most priority of the Punjab government.

Talking to farmers at Railway Road wheat procurement centre, the minister said the wheat procurement policy of 2018-19 was ‘farmer friendly’.The minister said the government was intending to give maximum benefit to farmers having less than 10 acres of land.

He inspected the fresh record of issuance of gunny bags and directed the Food Department officials to ensure merit.The minister also asked the local Food Department officials to install firefighting equipment at the wheat procurement centre.

Later, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dr Farrukh Naveed briefed the minister on different issues relating to farmers.MPAs Rana Muhammad Afzal and Zulfiqar Ghauri were also present on the occasion.