KARACHI: Caretaker Chief Minister retired Justice Maqbool Baqar on Monday fixed the minimum price of sugar cane at Rs425 per 40 kg for the crop 2023-24.

According to a CM House spokesperson, the decision to this effect was taken after a thorough discussion and considering the cost of production worked out by the agriculture department.

A meeting held here at CM House was attended among others by Chief Secretary Dr Fakhre Alam, Advocate General Hassan Akbar, Finance Secretary Kazim Jatoi, Agriculture Secretary Aijaz Shah, and Food Secretary Nasir Abbas.

Briefing the chief minister about the cost of sugar cane cultivation, the agriculture secretary said that per acre cost had been worked out at Rs244,984, and the average yield of an acre was 650 maunds, meaning Rs377 per 40kg. “If 12.7 per cent profit over the total expenditures is added the price would come to Rs425 per 40kg,” he added.

The chief secretary said that he had also chaired a meeting of the agriculture department and the minimum price was worked out at Rs425 and if the profit of 15pc as demanded by the agriculturists were added, the price would go to Rs434 per 40 kg.

The chief minister approved the support price of sugar cane at Rs425 per 40 kg and directed the chief secretary to get the price approved by the cabinet through circulation.

The agriculture secretary, briefing the chief minister about the structure and strategy of his department, said that it had 12 wings, including extension, agriculture management, training and research, agriculture marketing, cane commissionerate, cotton commissionerate, Bureau of Supply & Price, Weight & Measures and Planning & Monitoring Cell.

He said that different wings of the departments had 10 director generals.

The chief minister said that most of the wings of the department had failed to perform. He directed the agriculture secretary to evaluate the performance of every wing and wind up those wings which had lost their utility.

The CM was told that the agriculture department’s strategy was modernisation of agriculture research, advancement of mechanised agriculture, strong market information system, improved agriculture extension service, improved water management, aiming to increase productivity and reduce poverty, control hoarding/smuggling of essential commodities in coordination with district administration and law enforcing agencies.

The CM said that most of the growers were purchasing certified seed from Punjab or Chinese seed. “The research wing has not brought any new variety of rice or wheat,” he added.

Justice Baqar directed the chief secretary to review the set-up and organisation of the agriculture department and proposed merger/winding of the wings which had failed to perform or were of no further utility.

Published in Dawn, November 14th, 2023

Opinion

Editorial

Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...
Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...