The government has decided to import 4 lakh tonnes of wheat and 2 lakh tonnes of rice in a proactive move to secure the nation’s food supply. The decision was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs during a meeting held on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, chaired by Finance and Commerce Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed.
This import initiative will take place within 15 days of tender submissions through government-to-government (G2G) arrangements, aimed at swiftly addressing potential food shortages.
While the current food grain stock is stable, Dr Salehuddin emphasized that the import decision is a preventive measure. “Although immediate imports aren’t necessary at this moment, we aim to eliminate any risk of food shortages and assure the public that both food grains and fertilisers will remain available,” he stated.
Regarding pricing, a provisional rate for the food grains has been established, but final prices will be confirmed prior to import execution.
The committee also approved reducing the timeline for international tenders for rice and wheat imports from 42 days to 15 days, starting from the tender advertisement date. This adjustment is expected to expedite the import process and maintain a steady supply chain.
Moreover, the government has greenlit the G2G procurement of rice and shortened procurement procedures as per Rule 83 of the Public Procurement Rules 2008. Both international open tenders and G2G agreements will be used to uphold food security and ensure effective distribution.
For the fiscal year 2024-25, the government aims to collect 3.5 lakh tonnes of rice from international sources and 19.23 lakh tonnes from domestic producers. The wheat target stands at 7 lakh tonnes from international markets and 10,000 tonnes locally.
