LAHORE: Punjab is preparing for an early start of wheat procurement drive — maybe in the first week of April — as the crop has matured early on the back of a rise in temperature in the absence of rains in March.

According to food department officials, they have already dispatched gunny bags to 13 districts of the south, where crop matures earlier than the northern part. Some carryover bags were already there and fresh ones have been sent.

Traditionally, the food department starts distributing gunny bags after April 15.

The department has set a target of 3.5 million tonnes and may stick to it. “Even if it has to increase, it may not be much,” explains one of the officials, saying that each tonne carries a huge financial cost. It is carrying over half a million tonnes, and with the addition of 3.5m tonnes, the total stock for next year would be four million tonnes.

The department is hoping for the purchase of 2.2m tonnes by the millers and total availability would thus be 6.2m tonnes for the next year.

About the wheat crop situation, the department says that the first survey has indicated a better production position. In January, when the urea crisis deepened and its usage worsened, Punjab lowered its production expectations to 18.8m tonnes. By the end of February, it was hoping for 20m tonnes.

These fears also factored in predictions of excessive rains during March, making Punjab planners a worried lot. However, the first survey of the crop now shows that the situation may not be as bad as feared earlier. The province is now expecting to end up somewhere close to last year’s production of 20.9m tonnes.

Both these factors — rise in March temperatures and relatively better size — have pushed Punjab to prepare for an early procurement drive and the department is already in action. It is replenishing the gunny bags stocks but the final decision (the day to start actual procurement) would be taken by the deputy commissioner (DC) concerned according to local conditions.

The department will distribute the district targets and ensure gunny bags and the deputy commissioner will do the rest.

The millers, however, are worried about casting DCs in the role of in-charge of the drive. “It means administrative measures will be taken to complete the target,” says Khaliq Arshad, a miller from the city.

The current market price is higher than the official rate and it makes administrative steps necessary to get to the targets.

It also means the millers would have to wait for the purchase till the food department completes its target.

Published in Dawn, March 24th, 2022