84.92 percent wheat procurement target achieved

The Multan Food Department (MFD) has so far purchased 679,397 tons of wheat against the target of 800,000 tons, that is 84.92 percent of the revised procurement target. MFD Deputy Director Nasrullah Khan Leghari told APP here on Thursday that the pace of procurement process had slowed down as the growers had already sold out their surplus stock.
Moreover, the open market rates had gone up to Rs 445 to 450 per 40 kilograms, he added. The Multan region consists of six districts, where 63 procurement centres have been set up by the Punjab Food Department.
More than seven million gunny bags had been distributed among the farmers, and added the farmers had also been paid transportation charges from rupees three to five per 100-kilogram bag. He said that no complaint of any irregularity had been received from any of the 63 procurement centres across the region.