Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, chaired a high-level meeting of the Sugar Advisory Board to review the overall sugar supply situation, available stocks and domestic requirements.
The meeting was attended by representatives of all provinces, farmers and the Sugar Mills Association. The participants held a detailed discussion on the available data and reviewed the sugar situation from the perspectives of consumers, farmers and the sugar industry.
After reviewing the available data and considering domestic requirements and stocks, the meeting decided to allow the export of 200,000 tonnes of sugar.
The Federal Minister directed sugar mill owners to ensure timely payments to sugarcane growers and stressed that the interests of farmers must be adequately protected. He said that farmers are a key pillar of the agricultural economy and their legitimate interests would remain a priority for the government.
“Protection of farmers’ interests is the government’s foremost priority. At the same time, it is essential to maintain a healthy balance between the interests of farmers and the sugar industry,” Rana Tanveer Hussain said.
He said the decision to allow sugar exports had been taken after carefully assessing the country’s domestic requirements and available sugar stocks. The government, he added, would continue to closely monitor the situation to ensure adequate availability of sugar in the domestic market.
The Federal Minister emphasized the importance of coordination among the federal government, provincial governments, farmers and the sugar industry for ensuring stability in the sugar sector. He said that decisions would continue to be taken on the basis of available data and in the broader interest of the agricultural economy.
Rana Tanveer Hussain reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting farmers, maintaining food security and ensuring a balanced and sustainable approach towards the development of the sugar sector.
