The national wheat policy will be guided by sustainability and fairness: minister
On Wednesday, Rana Tanveer Hussain, Minister for National Food Security and Research, emphasized that the new wheat policy will be based on sustainability and equity.
In order to discuss the outline of the National Wheat Policy and Wheat Management Strategy for 2025–2026 and the upcoming years, the minister presided over a meeting.
The new roadmap will act as a long-term strategy to guarantee food security, defend farmers’ livelihoods, safeguard consumers, and increase resilience to emergencies brought on by climate change and market disruptions.
Rana Tanveer Hussain, who spoke at the event, stated that wheat provides a lifeline for millions of Pakistanis in addition to being a staple crop.
He emphasized that the new wheat strategy will be based on sustainability and fairness. According to him, middle-class and above-the-poverty-line consumers will pay market-based prices, while farmers must be paid prices that reflect global market trends in order to promote increased production.
By carefully balancing the economic duties between the provinces and the federation, the government will offer assistance to low-income groups through subsidies and other supportive measures.
The minister added that in order to safeguard wheat from weather hazards and quality degradation, strategic reserves will be carefully managed and kept in contemporary grain silos as opposed to conventional facilities.
He emphasized that preserving national reserves, providing subsidies to low-income households, guaranteeing wheat quality, and enhancing supply chain efficiency will be the main responsibilities of the federal government.
He also said that the policy would focus on modern storage systems, farmer welfare programs, and research and development for high-yield and climate-resilient wheat varieties.
Rana Tanveer also emphasized the importance of managing wheat for public health. According to him, Pakistan has to implement long-term strategies to combat stunting and malnutrition because over 30% of women and children suffer from zinc, iron, and vitamin deficiencies. The strategy will support multigrain flour, encourage wheat fortification, and provide incentives for appropriate storage practices to maintain nutritional content rather than only depending on supplements.
He noted that these initiatives will boost national output and immediately benefit the health of mothers and children.
He emphasized that Pakistan will not permit the market to have a roti crisis. He went on to say that the government is dedicated to ensuring that farmers receive just compensation, that consumer prices remain stable, and that the country is resilient to natural calamities and changes in the world market.
In order to ensure its food security in the face of climate change and other threats, he said Pakistan needs to embrace forward-thinking methods that align with global best practices.