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ISLAMABAD, Dec 08 (APP): The National Assembly was informed on Monday that sugarcane prices are likely to remain in the Rs500–550 per maund which will help protect farmers’ profitability and ensure fair market behaviour.
Replying to various questions during Question Hour, Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain said that procurement closer to Rs400 “undermines growers and contradicts the spirit of deregulation,” stressing that the federal government has already approached provincial authorities to guarantee fair and timely payments by mill owners.
He said that last year’s cane prices had ranged between Rs450 and Rs750 per maund, depending on region and quality, while this year’s indicative prices in several districts had already crossed Rs500 per 40kg.
He said that farmers cannot be left at the mercy of middlemen, especially in areas where oversight is weak.
He said Pakistan produced 5.8 million tons of sugar last year against a domestic requirement of 6.3 million tons, largely due to climate stress and heat-waves, adding that this shortfall had contributed to temporary price fluctuations. “Despite this, ex-factory sugar is currently around Rs160, not Rs200 as claimed earlier,” he added.
Responding to a question, the minister said the rise and fall in prices is now market-driven due to deregulation, but the federal government continues to intervene where farmers face exploitation.
He said that Pakistan recorded a surplus of 1.3 million tons of sugar last year, enabling the country to earn $400 million through exports without giving a rupee of subsidy — a first in national history.
Regarding agricultural reforms, the minister said the Prime Minister has approved a comprehensive Agriculture Growth Programme focused on mechanisation, technology transfer, awareness programmes, and access to finance.
He said outdated harvesters were causing 10–15 maunds per acre losses, adding that new harvesters tested at PRC showed losses as low as 6 kilograms per acre, potentially boosting national productivity.
He said that the government is introducing electronic warehouse receipts (EWR), enabling farmers to store their produce safely and borrow up to 70% of the stored value directly from banks. Cold storage and transport reforms are also underway to minimise post-harvest losses, which, according to an Asian Development Bank study, cost the country $1.7–$1.8 billion annually, he said.
To a question, the minister said the agriculture sector remains the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, with 65% of the population directly or indirectly linked to it. He said Pakistan remains self-sufficient in wheat, rice and maize, and is expanding export markets.
He said that global financial institutions, including the World Bank, have urged Pakistan to prioritise agriculture. “Food security is national security,” he said, adding that the new policy framework will soon be presented to the Cabinet and may also be brought before Parliament for wider consultation.