While provinces are making substantial headway in wheat cultivation, a legal petition filed by seed companies in the High Court against existing movement protocols has surfaced as a significant issue, according to the Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFSR).
The matter was discussed during the ministry’s weekly national coordination meeting on Thursday, chaired by MNFSR Secretary Amir Mohyuddin. The federal government assured it would provide full legal support to resolve the challenge against the standard operating procedures for seed transportation. The meeting was convened to review seed distribution, sowing status, and storage planning for the upcoming harvest.
Officials from Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and Balochistan attended the session, along with representatives from key federal bodies, including DG Agri Extension Sindh Dr. Asif Ali, the Chairman of NSDRA, and DG FSC and RD Muhammad Azam Khan.
Punjab authorities confirmed that the province’s wheat seed requirements have been completely fulfilled. A total of 168,000 metric tonnes from the private sector and 196,000 metric tonnes from the Punjab Seed Corporation have been supplied. Of this, 82,000 metric tonnes were allocated to Sindh, 23,000 to Balochistan, and 22,000 to KP. The Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department (FSC and RD) verified that daily tracking showed uninterrupted seed convoy movement.
Regarding cultivation progress, all provinces noted strong momentum, aided by the timely recession of floodwaters and the increased availability of certified seed.
Punjab has achieved 75% of its objective, with wheat planted on 1.25 crore acres against a target of 1.65 crore acres. Officials anticipate meeting the full target within two weeks, crediting early sowing, government subsidies, and a positive farmer response to the indicative national wheat price of Rs. 3,500 per 40 kg for the advancement.
Sindh reported that it has sown 533,000 hectares and is currently in its peak planting window, expecting to accomplish 85% of its target by the end of November.
In KP, cultivation has reached 461,000 hectares out of a 781,000-hectare goal, marking 59% completion. Although progress in sugarcane and rice belts has been slower, an acceleration is expected as the sowing window remains open until December 15.
Balochistan has planted 85,000 hectares against a target of 643,000 hectares. Steady progress was reported in tube-well irrigated and rain-fed areas, with cultivation in canal-fed districts expected to increase after the rice harvest concludes.
During the meeting, KP officials also raised concerns over discrepancies between provincial wheat flour price data and figures compiled by the Bureau of Statistics. The MNFSR pledged to engage with the Bureau to establish a transparent and uniform pricing mechanism.
The Secretary of MNFSR also confirmed that the mapping of storage facilities is ongoing and will continue next week to aid in long-term storage planning.