No threat to food security owing to rains, says govt

ISLAMABAD: Minister for National Food Security Sahibzada Mehboob Sultan has said a special relief package will soon be announced for the farmers whose crops were damaged in the recent rains.

The minister in a statement reiterated the government is doing its best to estimate the damage and human loss caused by widespread rainfall across the country. He said he will visit the affected areas and will himself monitor the situation there and added he would meet the affected farmers.

He said the federal ministry is working in complete liaison with the provincial agriculture departments to gather information regarding the affected areas and the damage to crops due to the recent rains, especially in Punjab.

According to the Federal Ministry of National Food Security, there is no threat to food security in the country or wheat shortage and that the damage to wheat, maize and gram is moderate and does not indicate any shortage. “Moreover, the speculations regarding the wheat shortage are not right.”

The latest report regarding the affected areas in Punjab shows that the damage caused to wheat, gram and maize crops is of mild to moderate nature. Further data about other minor crops is also being collected and the Punjab agriculture department is working to reach out to all possible areas to gauge the losses.

The data from other provinces is yet to be received and a letter to that affect has been sent to the relevant provincial departments.