Sindh and Federal Government Reach Consensus on National Food Security Policy

Strategic Insights -

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Federal Minister for Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain met at CM House to discuss a critical national food security policy. The policy aims to establish equitable support prices for wheat cultivators, encouraging increased output. The meeting emphasized the importance of providing adequate support prices to farmers, highlighting concerns about emerging food security issues. The federal government has expressed its dedication to collaboration with Sindh, aiming to build strategic wheat reserves, while the Chief Minister assured that Sindh produced 3.452 million metric tons of wheat in 2024-25, maintaining a current inventory of 1.385 million metric tons. The policy will prioritize farmer assistance, improved procurement methods, and ensuring strategic reserves.

Key Takeaways:

  • Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Federal Minister for Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain reached a consensus on the need for a national food security policy.
  • The policy aims to provide equitable support prices for wheat cultivators, stimulating increased output.
  • Minister Hussain acknowledged a 6 percent decline in national wheat planting last year and highlighted the Prime Minister's directive for collaboration with Sindh.
  • Chief Minister Shah revealed Sindh's wheat production figures, with 3.452 million metric tons produced in 2024-25 and a current inventory of 1.385 million metric tons.
  • The meeting emphasized the importance of providing adequate support prices to farmers, highlighting the hardships faced by farmers due to the lack of a support price last year.
  • Attendees concurred on the importance of supporting domestic wheat growers instead of resorting to imports.
  • The policy will prioritize farmer assistance, improved procurement methods, and ensuring strategic reserves.
  • Tariq Bajwa, Special Assistant to the PM, noted that Sindh and Punjab account for 90 percent of Pakistan's wheat production and consume 80 percent of it.

Statistics:

  • Open market wheat prices fluctuated between Rs3,300 and Rs4,000 per 40kg.
  • Sindh produced 3.452 million metric tons of wheat in 2024-25.
  • The current inventory in Sindh is 1.385 million metric tons.
  • 90 percent of Pakistan's wheat production comes from Sindh and Punjab.
  • 80 percent of Pakistan's wheat consumption comes from Sindh and Punjab.
  • Wheat planting declined by 6 percent nationwide.

Sources:

  • PPI-PR: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Federal Minister for Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain meet to discuss a national food security policy.