Amir Mohyuddin, Secretary of the Ministry of National Food Security and
Research (MNFSR), convened the weekly national coordination meeting today to
review progress on wheat seed movement, sowing activities across provinces, and
storage capacity planning ahead of the upcoming harvest season. Chaired by the
Secretary MNFSR, the meeting brought together officials from Punjab, Sindh, Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Balochistan, and food departments from all provinces, including
Director General Agri Extension Sindh Dr. Asif Ali, Chairman NSDRA, and DG FSC&RD
Muhammad Azam Khan.
While reviewing the movement of wheat seed across provinces, Punjab reported
that all provincial wheat seed requirements for sowing had been met, with a total of
168,000 metric tonnes of private-sector seed and 196,000 metric tonnes of Punjab
Seed Corporation seed successfully supplied. Seed allocations included 23,000 metric
tonnes to Balochistan, 82,000 metric tonnes to Sindh, 22,000 metric tonnes to KP, and
41,000 metric tonnes retained in Punjab. Daily convoy tracking and check-post
monitoring confirmed smooth movement without any hindrances or disruptions.
FSC&RD validated these reports shared by the provincial government of Punjab.
The Ministry also noted a petition filed in the High Court by certain seed
companies challenging existing seed movement SOPs. The federal government
assured full legal support to address the matter.
The second agenda item of the meeting focused on provincial wheat sowing
progress. Provinces reported strong and accelerated sowing momentum, supported by
timely floodwater recession, easier land access, and improved availability of certified
seed.
The Punjab Agriculture Department reported that wheat sowing is in full swing,
with 1.25 crore acres sown out of the 1.65 crore-acre target, achieving 75% of the
target. The sowing season is expected to continue for two more weeks, by which the
target is likely to be achieved. Special trends observed in Punjab include early and rapid
sowing due to post-flood land availability. Furthermore, subsidies offered through the
Punjab Seed Corporation (Rs. 500 per bag) and collaboration with private seed
companies (Rs. 550 per bag, totaling Rs. 5,500 for certified seed) have led to 100%
improvement in certified seed usage. The Secretary MNFSR confirmed that media
announcements regarding a 20% increase in sowing this year have positively influenced
farmers, who have also responded well to the indicative National Wheat Policy price of
Rs. 3,500 per 40 kg bag.
In Sindh, the DG Extension reported good availability of certified seed. A total of
533,000 hectares has been sown, marking the peak sowing window. By the end of
November, 85% of the target is expected to be completed. Farmers have responded
positively to both the indicative wheat price and federal-provided certified seed.
KP reported a target of 781,000 hectares, with 461,000 hectares sown so far
(59% progress). Sowing in sugarcane and rice areas has been slower; however, it is
expected to accelerate by the end of November, as temperatures remain favorable and
the sowing window extends until 15 December.
In Balochistan, most cultivation occurs in tube-well irrigated areas, with a few
districts relying on canal irrigation, where sowing follows rice harvesting. Out of the
643,000-hectare target, approximately 85,000 hectares has been sown. Tube-well
irrigated and barani areas are progressing steadily, while canal-fed Nasirabad division is
expected to pick up pace soon.
The Secretary MNFSR agreed that ongoing mapping of storage facilities will
continue next week to facilitate informed future decisions regarding storage planning.
KP also raised concerns regarding discrepancies between wheat flour price data
collected by provincial departments and the Bureau of Statistics (BS). MNFSR
acknowledged the issue and committed to engaging with BS to establish a transparent
and verifiable pricing mechanism across provinces.
