Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur announced on Wednesday that his government would save Rs12 billion by purchasing wheat directly from local farmers. He stated that this saved amount would be allocated for the construction and renovation of wheat warehouses.
Gandapur made this announcement during a visit to the provincial reserve center of the food department, where he formally inaugurated the wheat procurement process for the current season. Provincial Minister for Food Zahir Shah Toru and senior officials from the food department and district administration were also present.
Addressing the ceremony, Gandapur mentioned that 300,000 metric tonnes of wheat would be procured from farmers in the province, with 40,000 metric tonnes being purchased from farmers in Dera. The total procurement cost, calculated at the rate of Rs3,900 per 40kg, would amount to Rs29 billion.
He assured that farmers would be provided with their rightful dues without any obstacles. Gandapur emphasized that the procurement process had been made transparent, with the establishment of district-level committees, a control room, and the introduction of an app for this purpose.
Gandapur highlighted that not buying wheat from the Pakistan Agricultural Storage & Services Corporation Limited would result in a Rs12 billion benefit, which would be redirected towards the construction and maintenance of warehouses.
He clarified that wheat procurement would be conducted on a first-come, first-served basis, urging the farming community to actively participate in implementing the provincial government’s policy to ensure efficient and transparent wheat procurement.
Gandapur underscored the provincial government’s zero-tolerance policy against corruption and bribery in all departments, emphasizing that steps would be taken to ensure transparency in government affairs, including postings and transfers.
