KARACHI: Outlining the Sindh government’s wheat procurement strategy for the current season, a cabinet sub-committee has decided to procure one million metric tons of wheat from April 1, fixing Rs3,500 per 40 kilograms as support price for the commodity.

The rate was fixed in line with a decision of the federal government that had set the procurement price at Rs3,500 per 40 kilograms in February.

The sub-committee is comprised of Food Minister Makhdoom Mehboub-uz-Zaman, Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro, Excise Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla and Chief Minister’s Adviser on Rehabilitation Gyan Chand Essrani.

Procurement will begin from April 1, announces cabinet sub-committee

Speaking at a press conference, Minister Makhdoom Mehboub said that procurement will commence from April 1 across 109 designated procurement centres established throughout the province.

He highlighted that, for the first time, wheat procurement will be conducted exclusively through registered Hari Card holders, ensuring transparency, accountability and direct benefit to farmers.

He informed that approximately 330,000 registered farmers will benefit under this initiative.

In a significant policy shift, the government will not issue bardana (gunny bags) this year. Instead, farmers will bring their own bardana and will be provided an incentive of Rs60 per bag, which will be disbursed through Sindh Bank directly to their accounts.

This measure will eliminate unnecessary logistical burdens and ensure ease of procurement for farmers, he added.

The food minister further stated that the Sindh government had already provided a substantial subsidy of Rs84 billion to stabilise wheat prices and support the public during the holy month of Ramazan.

He emphasised that wheat release and distribution had been carried out in a fully transparent manner, particularly during the month of Ramazan, ensuring availability of flour at affordable rates across the province.

Addressing concerns regarding irregularities, the minister reiterated the government’s zero tolerance policy, stating that 43 officers were issued show-cause notices, 22 were suspended, nine were dismissed from service, and six cases were referred to Anti-Corruption Establishment, reflecting strict accountability measures.

‘Wheat procured by Sindh stored in Punjab warehouses’

Irrigation Minister Shoro clarified that the food department had complete data of approximately 1.2 million metric tons of wheat stock, dismissing allegations of wheat theft.

He explained that wheat procured by Sindh was stored in Punjab warehouses due to logistical considerations and was strategically released during Ramazan to meet public demand.

He added that approximately 200,000 metric tons of wheat stock is still available and will be utilised prudently.

Mr Shoro further informed that Sindh produces approximately 4.3 million tonnes of wheat annually, and the current procurement policy had been designed to protect farmers’ interests, especially small growers who had earlier received subsidies in the form of fertilisers.

Minister Chawla noted that the Hari Card initiative had already delivered tangible benefits to farmers through subsidised inputs and will now ensure fair procurement directly from genuine cultivators.

The food minister also announced that a dedicated digital portal/website will be launched jointly by the food and agriculture departments to streamline procurement, data management and transparency.

He stated that the Sindh government committed to maintaining a stable wheat supply chain, supporting farmers and ensuring affordability of flour across the province.

Published in Dawn, March 28th, 2026