ISLAMABAD, Jan 3: With over 2.6 million tons of wheat in its stocks, including 2.2 million tons with the public sector, Pakistan does not face any shortage during the current year , the Wheat Commissioner of the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, Dr Qadir Bakhsh Baloch, said here on Saturday.

Speaking on the 'Wheat Situation' at the monthly meeting of the Scientists Club, Islamabad, he said in view of the experience gained in the current year of placing major reliance on the private sector to meet the requirements of the people, the government was likely to procure nearly five million tons next year.

He said the figure of 19.25 million tons as the size of wheat harvest, 2003-04, given by the government had been proved to be correct.

A member of the audience reminded him of the famine of Bengal which had occurred in spite of the private hoarders' godowns being full of foodgrains. Bumper harvest notwithstanding, Pakistan was under threat of similar situation because of the government's decision to obey the dictates of the IMF and the World Bank to withdraw from its responsibility to ensure food security.

The wheat commissioner, responding to the question, said his ministry, taking notice of the rising prices of wheat and flour, had asked the Punjab food department to raise its releases from 13,000 tons to 18,000 tons per day. This had already cast a salutary effect on the market prices, he added.

Responding to the remark, he said the government had procured only 3.5 million tons as against the target of 5.3 million tons this year, while the private sector was allowed to lift 1.8 million tons as part of the measure to redress the perennial complaint by the farmers that they were not getting adequate price for their crop.

In 2002, the quantity of wheat procured by the public sector was four million tons.

Although the government was confident that there were sufficient stocks in the country to meet the food requirement of the people by April, the terminal month of wheat year, it had been decided to import 0.5 million tons with a view to countering the speculative situation prevailing in the wheat market.

Giving details, the wheat commissioner said the consumption during 2003-04 had been estimated as 19.789 million tons as against the total availability of 20.242 million tons, including the carryover stock of 0.992 million tons and production of 19.225 million tons. This would leave a surplus of 0.458 million tons at the end of the current wheat year, he observed.

The research side of wheat production, Dr Baloch went on to say, was well developed. Scientists at 26 institutes/stations in every ecological zone were engaged in experiments on new varieties with an eye on continued progress, he added.

He, however, could not say the same thing about cotton research which was beset with numerous flaws. Dr Baloch is also holding the charge of the cotton commissioner.

He admitted to continued shortcomings in terms of low per acre yield of wheat. The average yield in Pakistan was 24 maunds as against the potential of 40 to 50 maunds, he said, and added that this was due to lack of proper dissemination of better technologies.

"Other factors include late sowing, inadequate application of fertilizers and herbicides and low coverage of certified seed."