Islamabad (Pakistan Point News / Online - 12th March, 2019) National Assembly�s Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research has constituted a five-member group to raise the potato glut issue with the Prime Minister, Imran Khan to address the grievances of the farmers.The group consisting of MNAs Zahoor Hussain Qureshi, Muhammad Shafiq, Chaudhry Muhammad Ashraf , Syed Javaed Ali Shah Jillani and Rao Muhammad Amjad Khan would meet the PM and inform him about the issue.
Chairing the meeting of the committee, MNA Rao Ajmal Khan said that the farmers have been suffering huge losses due to low demand and prices of potato, urging the government to take emergency measures for addressing the issue.He said that Central Asian states were the main purchasers of potatoes, however due to imposition of taxes upto Rs600 per 120 kg by Afghan government, it was not feasible to export the commodity.He was of the view that government should give relief on Apple and pomegranate imports from Afghanistan and in exchange ask the Afghan government to reciprocate the same while importing potatoes from Pakistan.
He was of the view that being an agricultural country, there is dire need to strengthen this sector and encourage farmers by giving them maximum relief and facilities.About the role of Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation Ltd (PASSCO) in procuring potatoes, Secretary Ministry of National Food Security and Research Dr Muhammad Hashim Popalzai informed that earlier PASSCO used to procure vegetables, lentils and grains but this time PASSCO was reluctant to procure potatoes due to inadequate storage facilities.
The committee was also given a detail briefing by Managing Director PASSCO Muhammad Khan Khichi about its institutional structure, functions and performance.He informed the committee that PASSCO was striving to provide facilities to the Federal government in its quest to ensure national food security by maintaining strategic reserves of different food grains, providing the same to deficit provinces, areas and armed forces.He said during his briefing that PASSCO has increased the wheat procurement target upto 1.
1 million Metric Tons for the year 2019 against 0.9 million Metric Tons in 2018.He said that PASSCO presently holds 304 godowns and 28 soils with the total storage capacity of 536,323 metric tons including 20 godowns recently built after 35 years from its own funds.Construction of additional 37 Godowns at its own land by own funding was in progress to enhance storage capacity by 50,438 Metric tons.
