LAHORE, Aug 02 (APP):Coordinator to the Federal Tax Ombudsman Saif-Ur-Rehman on Sunday called for the establishment of a nationwide network of modern hi-tech grain silos to strengthen scientific storage facilities,reduce billions of rupees in post-harvest losses and ensure long-term food security. Talking to a delegation of growers here,he said Pakistan,as an agriculture-based economy could not afford the continued wastage of valuable food commodities due to inadequate storage facilities,poor handling practices …
Hi-tech storage network vital for Pakistan’s food security: Saif-Ur-Rehman
LAHORE, Aug 02 (APP):Coordinator to the Federal Tax Ombudsman Saif-Ur-Rehman on Sunday called for the establishment of a nationwide network of modern hi-tech grain silos to strengthen scientific storage facilities,reduce billions of rupees in post-harvest losses and ensure long-term food security.
Talking to a delegation of growers here,he said Pakistan,as an agriculture-based economy could not afford the continued wastage of valuable food commodities due to inadequate storage facilities,poor handling practices and outdated preservation methods.
He stressed that investment in modern grain storage infrastructure should be treated as a national economic priority to safeguard food supplies,stabilize market availability and protect farmers from distress sales.
Saif-Ur-Rehman said the proposed network of hi-tech silos,equipped with temperature and humidity control systems, automated monitoring and modern fumigation technology would help preserve the quality and nutritional value of wheat, rice,maize and other agricultural commodities for extended periods.
He urged the government to develop a comprehensive public-private partnership framework to attract both domestic and foreign investment in the storage sector.
He also called on banks and financial institutions to provide affordable long-term financing for the development of modern storage infrastructure across the country.
The coordinator said reducing post-harvest losses would enhance food availability,save valuable foreign exchange, improve farmers’ incomes and strengthen Pakistan’s agricultural supply chain.
