In a significant move to bolster national food stability, Punjab has supplied a massive 59,000 metric tons of wheat seed to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Sindh, a development lauded by the federal government for ensuring a steady food supply across the country.

The crucial inter-provincial distribution was reviewed during a high-level meeting on Wednesday convened by the Ministry of National Food Security and Research. The session included senior officials such as the Secretaries and Directors General of Food from all four provinces.

A spokesperson for the Punjab Price Control Department confirmed that the provision of wheat for seed purposes to private companies and the Punjab Seed Corporation is proceeding without any hindrance. The scale of the operation was highlighted by the dispatch of 2,002 trucks laden with the essential grain from Punjab to other provinces in the last week alone.

Federal authorities commended the Punjab Price Control and Commodities Management Department for its exceptional performance. The Ministry of National Food Security acknowledged Punjab’s role as the ‘big brother’ for its timely delivery of wheat, which is instrumental in stabilizing the national food chain.

In a related development, the Punjab Agriculture Department has issued important guidelines for the ongoing rice harvesting season. Farmers have been urged to begin harvesting only when the upper grains are fully mature and the lower grains are partially filled, maintaining a moisture content between 20-22%.

Producers were encouraged to utilize modern equipment like rice harvesters (Kubota) or Super Seeders for enhanced efficiency. For those using combine harvesters, the department stressed the importance of proper adjustments to prevent grain breakage and preserve the quality of the yield.

Furthermore, agricultural officials cautioned against piling harvested paddy in large stacks to avoid aflatoxin contamination, which severely degrades rice quality and its market value. The harvested paddy must be thoroughly dried and stored with moisture levels not exceeding 12-13% to maintain its integrity.