LAHORE: Target of purchasing 4 million metric ton of wheat at the rate of Rs 1,300 per 40 kg is undwerway.
The Agriculture department sources told APP on Tuesday that the distribution of gunny bags started from April 15 and Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has directed to provide all possible facilities to farmers at wheat procurement centers throughout the province.
Relevant authorities are fully active for monitoring of wheat procurement drive, facilitating wheat growers and protecting their due rights across the province, sources added.
Sources further said the Punjab government is implementing revolutionary policies for the betterment and welfare of growers.
The government has allocated a sum of Rs 130 billion for the purchase of 4 million metric ton wheat in the province, sources added.
Fair distribution of gunny bags among farmers, smooth purchase of wheat, easy way of payment of the commodity, and provision of other facilities at the centres is an important feature of the Punjab government.
Comprehensive strategy has been evolved to keep wheat procurement campaign a complaint free, however, farmers can contact by landline numbers in case of any complaint which will be addressed immediately, sources disclosed.
Middlemen will not be allowed to exploit farmers and strict action will be initiated against them.
Every possible facility is being provided at wheat procurement centres.
It is pertinent to mention here that a helpline, has been set up by the Punjab Food Department with phone number 0800-13512, to facilitate the growers during the wheat procurement drive.
Agriculture department has advised the farmers to keep an eye on weather predictions during the crop management period and wheat harvesting should be stopped during rain and be avoided till weather gets normal.
As many as 382 wheat procurement centres were set up in Punjab to facilitate the farmers, sources added. (APP)