ISLAMABAD: Flood affected areas across country need 2.99 million seed bags to fulfill requirements of upcoming Rabi season, Commissioner Food Security Ministry of National Food Security and Research informed meeting held at National Flood Response and Coordination Center (NFRCC).

Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal was informed that around four million acres of cultivatable area have been affected by flood across country. Chairman National Disaster Management Authority Lieutenant General Akhtar Nawaz, provincial secretaries of agriculture and other concerned officials participated in meeting Rabi crop, especially cultivation of wheat and measures regarding supply of subsidy-based seeds were reviewed in meeting.

Forum was also apprised of progress made so far on NFRCC web portal and dashboard. Ahsan Iqbal directed that requirement of respective areas and types of seeds should be determined in advance. He said relief activities in flood affected areas should be expedited due to arrival of winter besides immediately finalising mechanism for procurement of subsidy based seeds and distribution at district level.

He said that provincial governments should confirm about availing of subsidy-based seeds as soon as possible. There should be no delay in delivering seeds to farmers for Rabi crop, he said adding that delay would increase issue of food security in country.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 13 2022

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.