Officials asked to buy wheat in fair way

LAHORE: Senior and Punjab Food Minister Abdul Aleem Khan has said that Food Department should ensure that extra weight is not charged from farmers while buying wheat.

Talking to Pakistan Kissan Ittehad President Khalid Mehmood Khokhar at his office here on Tuesday, The senior minister said that the interest of small farmers must not be overlooked in the wheat procurement campaign.

Abdul Aleem Khan said that modern technology is vital in agriculture sector for better production of any crop. He said that big farmers should come forward to support the government for improvement of food sector.

He said that this year, the government provided open bardana to farmers for wheat procurement. Similarly, this year campaign of wheat procurement is successful as the role of the middleman has been minimised. Abdul Aleem Khan made it clear that he would make changes in the Food Department according to the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan and would play his role to to increase the capacity of small farmers.

Abdul Aleem Khan appreciated the activities of the Pakistan Kissan Ittehad for the welfare of cultivators and assured it of his all possible support. Khalid Mehmood Khokhar appreciated the government's open policy for wheat procurement and the removal of barriers in bar dana which encouraged the common farmer.

According to the Food Department, over 15 per cent of wheat has been harvested in Punjab. More than 14 per cent of wheat bags have been distributed among the farmers. Achieving the wheat procurement target is a top priority of the government. Flour availability will be ensured during Ramadan.