Karachi, Caretaker Chief Minister Sindh, Justice (Rtd) Maqbool Baqir, has officially set the minimum price of sugarcane for the 2023-24 crop at Rs 425 per maund (40 kg). This decision was taken after a comprehensive review of the production costs by the Department of Agriculture.
According to Sindh CM House, the decision was finalized during a meeting at the Chief Minister’s House. Key attendees included Chief Secretary Dr. Fakhar Alam, Advocate General Sindh Hasan Akbar, and Secretaries of Finance, Agriculture, and Food. Agriculture Secretary Ijaz Shah presented a detailed cost analysis of sugarcane cultivation, noting the average yield and associated costs, which justified the set price of Rs 425 per maund. Chief Secretary Fakhr Alam, who had previously chaired a meeting of the Agriculture Department, affirmed this pricing, adding that incorporating a 15% profit margin as requested by farmers would raise the price to Rs 434 per maund.
The meeting also focused on the broader structure and strategy of the Agriculture Department. It was noted that the department comprises 12 wings, including Research, Agricultural Management, and Agricultural Marketing, with 10 Director Generals overseeing different wings. The Chief Minister observed that many of these wings were underperforming and instructed the Agriculture Secretary to review each wing’s effectiveness, with a view to potentially eliminate those that have lost their effectiveness.
Additionally, the Agriculture Department’s strategy aims at modernizing agricultural research, advancing mechanized agriculture, strengthening market information systems, and improving overall agricultural services. However, the Chief Minister highlighted concerns regarding the department’s Research wing, particularly its failure to introduce new varieties of rice or wheat. Farmers are increasingly relying on certified seeds from Punjab or China due to this shortfall. In response, the Chief Minister directed the Chief Secretary to review the department’s setup and organization, and propose merging or discontinuing wings that have failed to deliver results or provide benefits.