A parliamentary panel Tuesday sought immediate intervention of the government to address the present state of potato crop and suggested that Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation LTD (Passco) be mandated to intervene and procure potatoes from farmers, otherwise sowing of next crops would not be possible.
The National Assembly Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research also decided to approach Prime Minister Imran Khan to apprise him about the plight of agriculture sector while observing that no relief was given to agriculture sector in Finance Supplementary (Second Amendment) Act, 2019.
The committee which met with Rao Muhammad Ajmal Khan in the chair, expressed serious concerns over non-cooperation/relief for potatoes growers/exporters. The committee chairman said that it was recommended in the last meeting to give relief of Rs400 per bag of fertilizer (Urea) in Finance Supplementary (Second Amendment) Bill but was not adhered to.
The committee also said that effective measure have not been taken for solving farmers/growers problems with respect to potato exports. Committee chairman said that it costs Rs72,000 per acre of potato, but the income was Rs32,000 only which further deteriorates the position of farmers. He further said that 3-4 growers reportedly suffered heart attacks.
Secretary National Food Security and Research Hashim Popalzai said that export orders for 160,000 tons of potatoes have been received so far from February till early March which would improve the situation. He apprised the committee that the government, sensing gravity of the situation, activated its Commercial representatives in Russian Federation and Central Asian States and secured export orders worth 160000 million tons of potatoes.
He further said that the federal government was cognizant of the plight of agriculture sector; however, its scope was limited after the devolution of certain subjects related to agriculture to the provinces. The committee chairman said that farmers/growers have either to increase their production or otherwise government has to support it to save them from total collapse.
Cotton, sugar, Aptma or industry may be government's priority but not poor agriculturists/farmers/growers, chairman added. The committee observed that several proposals were and recommendations were made during the last meeting to resolve farmers' issues, but not addressed/implemented.
The committee was further informed that Passco is ready to procure up to 50,000 tons of potatoes but federal government is of the view that it is a provincial matter and it does not want to intervene. The committee also expressed concerns over taxes of Rs600 per 120 kg bag of potatoes imposed by Afghanistan, which is hurting the commodity exports.
The committee decided to meet Prime Minister and apprise him of the severity of the situations especially the potato growers/exporters are facing. Secretary informed the committee that the Ministry is ready to facilitate exports, but when it is the issue of the funds, it is not in their control.
The Managing Director Passco briefed the committee about its organizational structure, working and performance since its establishment. He said that provision of food security at National level by maintaining strategic reserves of wheat and other specific products, release wheat in deficit provinces areas and construction of storage facilities. He said that Passco had been procuring wheat from the notified areas as per targets set up by the federal government.
MD Passco informed the committee that 20 storages were built during last three years while 37 are under construction. Passco has 229 purchase centers and 15 zones. Besides, a stock of 1.456 million tons of wheat is available which is going out quickly. The next target of wheat procurement is set at 1.1 million tons.
The committee appreciated the performance of Passco, however, directed to enhance its wheat storage capacity in different areas apart from construction of cold storages especially in the potato growing areas for assistance to the farmers.
The committee also recommended for release of required funds to Passco to meet its infrastructure development requirements. Later the meeting was briefed about the Department of Plant Protection, Narc and Parc.
The committee directed Narc to extend assistance to olive growers in Balochistan. The Committee decided to have a detailed briefing on Parc and Narc in its next meeting.