Rice harvest is in surplus despite floods, according to the National Assembly secretary, who says output stands at 5.4 million metric tons compared to 3.8 million metric tons of consumption.
ISLAMABAD:
The output of the rice crop was in surplus despite the destruction caused by the floods, according to Parliamentary Secretary for National Food Security and Research Ahmad Raza Maneka on Friday.
He stated that the wheat inventories were appropriately kept and protected from damage during the 2022 floods in response to a question from Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) MNA, Ghous Bux Khan Maher, during Question Hour of the 51st session of the National Assembly.
But, he said, the local consumption of rice last year was 3.8MMT, while output was 5.4MMT.
What steps had the government taken to increase rice crop output given that production had dropped by one-third, Maher asked?
What steps were being done to ensure climate-resistant crops that could adapt to changing weather patterns in the face of ongoing environmental degradation and climate change, asked PTI MNA Wajiha Qamar?
Maneka retorted that new agricultural techniques, hybrid seeds, and farmer education could only guarantee an increase in crop productivity. He said that the only treatment being given to farmers was the most recent agricultural production methods and techniques.
MNA Salahuddin asked information from the housing ministry on the plots given to 16 ministry workers in Grades 16 and higher. The government should also make it clear if any of these officials received more than one plan, he continued.
Syed Mehmood Shah, the Parliamentary Secretary for Housing and Works, claimed that the 16 ministry employees had not yet received their plot allocations but had rather been informed of them. Since none of them had requested dual plots in this instance, possession of the plots would be granted after June.
