59 percent wheat procurement achieved in Multan region

Food Department Multan has procured 565,415 tons of wheat, achieving 59 percent of its target so far at 75 centres set up in six districts of the former Multan division. Department sources told APP on Friday that procurement was slow because rates in the open market range up to Rs 410 per 40kg against the government fixed rate of Rs 400. Moreover, the merchants have an edge because they buy the commodity direct from the field, saving the farmers transportation and other hassles.
The department target for Multan region is 960,000 tons wheat procurement this year, said DD Food, Manzoor Bajwa. He said last year's target of 1.1 million tons could not be achieved due to scanty production, and only 690,000 tons were purchased. This year however, a bumper crop was expected because of favourable weather conditions, he added.
District-wise wheat procurement along with the target is as under: Multan 114,08 tons (target 120,000), Lodhran 65,321, tons (target 100,000), Khanewal 116,324 tons (target 180,000), Vehari l04,803 tons (target 180,000), Sahiwal 118,780 tons (target 240,000) and Pakpattan 46,176 tons (target l40,000).