LAHORE, Feb 22: The Punjab government has set the wheat procurement target at 2.5 million tons for the forthcoming season, with an option to raise it further depending on the crop size.

According to sources in the food department, since the government anticipates a healthy crop this year, it has increased the initial target. Last year, it started the procurement drive with a two million tons target but revised to three million tons later.

This time the department also plans to start procurement from April 10 - against April 20 last year - in order to benefit farmers in the southern belt where the crop matures early mainly due to high temperature.

Having over 50 per cent contribution in Punjab’s total wheat production, all the 13 districts of the southern belt are expected to be surplus this year.

“Procurement in these districts may start even before April 10 subject to gunny bags’ availability,” said a food official.

About future projections of stocks, sources said the department is expected to carry over around 400,000 tons of wheat from its current stocks. At present, it holds 1.2 million tons of wheat. Out of it, 125,000 tons will be exported through private parties while 75,000 tons will go to Balochistan. That will leave the department with one million tons. During the next 40 days of the current season, the department will release around 600,000 tons.

“Should it be able to procure 2.5 million tons, the department will start the next season with 2.9 million tons, almost the same quantity needed for meeting basic food requirements of the province,” a food official said.

Meanwhile, the food department has started preparing for procurement. The provincial minister chaired a meeting in this regard on Thursday while the secretary has convened another session for Friday (today).

“The department has already placed orders for additional gunny bags which should reach each district in next two to three weeks,” a source said.