23rd meeting of the Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research (NFS&R) was held today under the Chairmanship of Rao Muhammad Ajmal Khan, MNA at 11:00 A.M. in Committee Room of National Agricultural Research Center (NARC), Chack Shahzad, Islamabad.
The meeting started with recitation from the Holy Quran then the Committee decided to proceed with the agenda. The Committee confirmed the minutes of previous meetings held on 2nd, 3rd and 4th February. Before taking up agenda the Committee was briefed on the implementation status of previous recommendations. It was informed that, recommendation regarding regularization of the services of Entomologists working on contract basis in the Department of Plant Protection is concerned, the term of their contract has been extended for one year. As they are employees of project hence their services will be regularized upon regularization of project. For recommendation regarding cattle farming, livestock and artificial insemination at Umer Kot, the said project at has utilized its 50% allocated budget for current financial year. The recommendation is already a part of the project which will be completed after utilization of the remaining budget.
Hon. Chairman invited attention of the Committee about news published in a daily newspaper regarding closure of production unit of Massey Ferguson Tractors in Pakistan. Representative of the company attended meeting and appraised that, an amount of six billion rupee is outstanding with the Government under the head of refund of sales tax, which is stopped since April 2020. Issue is pending with the FBR. Committee expressed grave concern on closure of the production before the harvesting season of wheat. Minister has informed that issue is relating to Ministry of finance and Ministry of industries hence he will take up issue with concerned ministers for settlement of the same. Another member drew attention of the Committee about Lumpy skin disease erupted in province of Sindh and causing irreparable loss in the form of mortality of cattle. Ministry has informed that issue is well under consideration, it has established various response centers in all provinces and is closely monitoring the same. Major effected area is province of Sindh having almost 18300 effected animals. So far, no vaccine for the same is available and one time exemption for purchase of the same is requested from the DRAP. After grant of necessary permission, vaccination will be available in Pakistan. It was recommended by the Committee that necessary awareness campaign shall be initiated by the Ministry, highlighting symptoms and points of precautions for protection of animals. The Committee also recommended preparing the feasibility report for establishment of date processing plants in the country.
The Committee did not consider the PSDP and recommended that the detailed briefing on PSDP shall be held in meeting after 15 days and the ministry shall forward the recommendations at least 7 days before the meeting for consideration and perusal of the Members.
The Committee was briefed on wheat procurement by PASSCO and issues relating to PASSCO procurement center as well wheat procurement plan for the year 2022-23 by Food Department, Government of Punjab. It was informed that the Punjab is major wheat producing province. During last year variance in wheat price was observed across the provinces, hence the Ministry is trying to fix a uniform price for whole country. Soon proposal will be placed before cabinet for fixation of rates. Last year 1.5-million-ton wheat was imported to meet needs of the country. Whereas in current year enhanced production is expected and work out plan is under process to evaluate and access the need and production. At request of the PASSCO the committee recommended that the Government of the Punjab shall not establish its procurement centers in the districts/tehsils wherein the PASSCO has established its procurement centers. The Committee appreciated the efforts and performance of the Ministry, PASSCO as well as food department Government of the Punjab.