ISLAMABAD: The National Asse­mbly’s Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research was informed on Monday that the inquiry into theft of garlic seed from the country’s apex agricultural research centre had been completed and the case had been referred to the Federal Inves­ti­gation Agency (FIA) for further investigation.

National Food Security and Research Secretary Tahir Khurshid informed the committee that the responsibility of the theft had been fixed after conducting the inquiry into the matter.

Dawn has learnt that 22 bags containing about 400 kilograms of garlic seed have been stolen from the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) in recent months. The ministry conducted the probe and referred the matter to the FIA.

A year ago, a new garlic variety was developed at the NARC, which yielded 24 tonnes per hectares, and considered as the highest-ever produced in the country as compared to other garlic cultivars grown locally.

Bulb weight of the newly developed variety called Narc-G1 is approximately 185.43 grams as compared to the weight of local ‘Lehson Gulab’ which is only 35.45 grams. Narc-G1 is relatively larger than other garlic varieties while its cultivation in suitable climate and proper care can enhance its productivity.

On the issue of wheat, the standing committee recommended that the minimum support price of wheat for 2021-22 crop should be fixed at Rs2,200 per 40kg.

The food secretary informed the meeting that the support price would be announced after getting approval from the federal cabinet. The ministry has submitted a summary to the cabinet and it is expected that the cabinet at its meeting on Tuesday will approve the support price for next year.

The standing committee meeting, chaired by Rao Mohammad Ajmal Khan, constituted a subcommittee to investigate the reasons for decrease in cotton production and make recommendations. The four-member subcommittee will be headed by MNA Mian Mohammad Shafiq.

The standing committee discussed in detail the ‘West Pakistan Pure Food (Amen­dment) Bill, 2021’ introduced by MNA Nusrat Wahid and passed the bill unanimously with some amendments.

The ‘National Food Safety, Animal and Plant Health Regulatory Authority Act, 2021’ was introduced by Rai Mohammad Murtaza Iqbal, and the committee decided that the mover and the ministry would mutually finalise the proposed legislation and the final draft would be presented at the next meeting.

Published in Dawn, November 2nd, 2021