Sindh Government to Procure 1 Million Tonnes of Wheat for Rs87.5 Billion
- The Sindh provincial government will procure one million metric tons of wheat from growers at an estimated cost of Rs87.5 billion.
- The announcement followed a meeting chaired by Minister Mehboob-uz-Zaman with senior food officials, including Food Secretary Ghulam Abbas Naich, along with various district officers and directors of the...
- To facilitate the process, the minister directed the establishment of 109 procurement centers across the province.
The Sindh provincial government will procure one million metric tons of wheat from growers at an estimated cost of Rs87.5 billion. Sindh Minister for Food Makhdoom Mehboob-uz-Zaman announced the initiative to ensure market stability and safeguard the interests of agricultural growers.
The announcement followed a meeting chaired by Minister Mehboob-uz-Zaman with senior food officials, including Food Secretary Ghulam Abbas Naich, along with various district officers and directors of the department. The officials conducted a comprehensive review of the operational plan and procurement arrangements for the subsequent 30 days.
Procurement Infrastructure and Logistics
To facilitate the process, the minister directed the establishment of 109 procurement centers across the province. These centers are required to be fully functional, utilizing proper location mapping, staffing and coordination mechanisms to ensure a smooth process aligned with capacity requirements.
Wheat procurement for the current season began on April 1, 2026. The government has fixed the support price of wheat at Rs3,500 per maund, or per 40 kilograms, in alignment with federal government policy.
A significant shift in the procurement process involves the use of the Hari Card system. For the first time, wheat will be procured exclusively from registered Hari Card holders to eliminate the influence of middlemen. This digital platform is intended to ensure that benefits reach genuine farmers, with approximately 330,000 registered farmers expected to benefit directly.
Financial Terms and Payment Systems
The provincial government has mandated that payments to farmers must be completed within 48 hours. These transactions will be processed through banking channels and the Hari Card system to reinforce transparency and efficiency.
Regarding the management of bardana, or gunny bags, the government will not provide bags this year. Instead, farmers are required to provide their own bags. To support this, the government will pay growers Rs60 per 50kg bag, with the funds credited directly into their Sindh Bank accounts.
The use of Sindh Bank for these digital payments is intended to make the procurement process more transparent and secure against potential fraud.
Production and Stock Management
During the review meeting, officials informed the minister that the expected wheat production for the current season is approximately 4.5 million tonnes. This follows general data indicating that Sindh typically produces roughly 4.3 million tons of wheat annually.
The government currently maintains a stock of approximately 200,000 metric tons of wheat, which will be utilized according to public needs to ensure food security and keep flour prices under control.
Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro previously clarified that allegations regarding wheat theft were unfounded. He explained that wheat procured by the Sindh government is stored in Punjab warehouses for logistical reasons and is strategically released to meet demand.
Accountability and Subsidies
The Sindh government has implemented strict accountability measures to address irregularities in wheat management. These actions include:
- Issuing show-cause notices to 43 officers.
- Suspending 22 officers.
- Dismissing nine officers.
- Referring six cases to the Anti-Corruption Establishment.
the government has provided Rs84 billion in subsidies to stabilize wheat prices and ensure the availability of affordable flour, particularly during the period of Ramazan. Under the Hari Card Scheme, farmers have also received subsidies on urea and DAP fertilizers.
Minister Mehboob-uz-Zaman emphasized the need to maintain harmony between the government’s support price and prevailing market rates to protect the economic interests of small growers.