Mismanagement, delays irk wheat growers

LAHORE
Mismanagement and delayed distribution of gunny bags by the provincial Food Department irks hapless wheat growers in South Punjab as procurement of grain is yet to kick off despite the fact that most of the crop has been harvested in the region.
The wheat procurement campaign has been delayed by about two weeks if compared with pattern of previous years’ drives. The officials, however, squarely blamed deferment of drive on wet weather conditions during maturity stage of crop.
The staff of Food Department could hardly initiate gunny bags distribution so far to the farmers in Bahawalpur and Dera Ghazi Khan districts on April 29, 2015. At least in last two days, the Food Department did manage starting procurement much earlier and had been able to aggressively buy wheat from growers. Despite clear announcement, the Food Department has miserably failed to start procurement drive.
In first three days of this year’s drive, not a single grain could be bought from the farmers while only 10 per cent of total gunny bags distribution could be made. The department earlier indicated to initiate campaign by third week of April, but could do so by April 25 and April 29. Moreover, the department had earlier announced that it will distribute 70 per cent of targeted gunny bags to farmers in first 15 days of the drive. However, it remains a mere slogan so far. According to official figures, staff of Food Department could distribute gunny bags for 438,000 tons of wheat till April 28, 2015.
In a sheer contrast, procurement had stared on April 20 in year 2013 with issuance of gunny bags having capacity of 6068 ton of wheat. Procurement of wheat started on April 27, 2013 with purchase of 2,120 tons of wheat.
Till April 29, 2014, Punjab Food Department had succeeded in buying 26,915 tons of wheat while gunny bags for 892,372 tons of wheat were procured.
Last year’s wheat procurement was also robust. In 2014, distribution of gunny bag started before April 15, 2014 and it reached the figure of 63,611 ton by mid of the month. Procurement of wheat started on April 21 with purchase of 2,132 tons. By April 29, 2014, distribution of gunny bags among farmers reached the figure of 728,600 tons while procurement stood at 298,161 tons of wheat. Mismanagement and delaying tactics by the department led to protest by farmers in Bahawalpur and Dera Ghazi Khan districts. Farmers protested in Nurpur Oranga and Dera Bhakha in Bahawalpur. They blamed officials of Food Department and Revenue Department for not distributing gunny bags as per official lists. They accused them of favoring blue-eyed persons in distribution process. Farmers also blocked Hasilpur Road during their protest Wednesday.
Similar case of non-friendly attitude of staff concerned at Shadan Lund in Dera Ghazi Khan has been reported. Despite announcement to start distribution of gunny bags from April 25, the staff concerned could initiate campaign on April 29, 2015. Local farmers blamed that staff of Revenue Department wrongly added names of several people in the distribution list. They boycotted the procurement campaign in protest. When contacted, Dr Pervaiz Khan, Secretary Food Punjab admitted delay in buying and some mismanagement. However, he said, abnormal weather conditions were solely responsible for delay in start of procurement campaign.
We have made all arrangements and launching of campaign was done by the respective district authorities while keeping in view quantum of wheat arrival, he said and added wheat procurement drive has been initiative in the province from April 29 except Gujranwala district.
Regarding complaints of distribution of gunny bags to favourites, he said, the Revenue Department is responsible for giving details of farmers and staff of Food Department has nothing to do with it. He assured that wheat procurement campaign was being expanded aggressively and government would remain in the market till the procurement of last grain from the growers.