ISLAMABAD, Dec 5: The government decided on Friday that one million tons of paddy would be procured through Passco while the Trading Corporation of Pakistan would be engaged in the procurement of 0.5 million tons of rice on an indicative price.

The total production of paddy crop this year is estimated at 6.5 million tons as compared to 5.5 million tons previous year.

A meeting, presided over by Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani at the PM House, also decided that necessary arrangements would be made for export of 1.5 million tons of rice through the TCP, out of a total export target of four million tons.

The meeting discussed the issue of delay in procurement of paddy, and Pakistan Storage and Supplies Corporation was directed that paddy should be procured at the price already announced by the government.

He said the interest of the farmer is the foremost priority of the government.

The meeting decided that 100pc payment of indicative price of paddy would be made directly to farmers through designated bank branches.

The entire export process would be monitored by a committee, headed by the Minister for Agriculture, Nazar Mohammad Gondal.

The Minfal secretary informed that local consumption of rice was 2.5 million tons and there was a surplus of four million tons which would be available for export.

The meeting was also attended by Finance Adviser Shaukat Tarin and Dr Asim Hussain, adviser on Petroleum and Natural Resources and high officials of the concerned departments.