Foodgrain and oilseed storage in Pakistan; an assessment of the sector"s problems and plans

STUDY TEAM VISITED PAKISTAN TO ASSESS ITS GRAIN STORAGE AND MARKETING SYSTEM. THE VISIT WAS ARRANGED BY A.I.D. IN RESPONSE TO A REQUEST FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF PAKISTAN. IN 1976, PAKISTAN PRODUCED 8.5 MILLION TONS OF WHEAT -- A MILLION TONS MORE THAN IN 1975. GRAIN STORAGE FACILITIES IN PAKISTAN ARE INADEQUATE, AND THE GOVERNMENT COULD NOT MOBILIZE ADEQUATE FACILITIES TO STORE THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF TONS OF WHEAT THE FARMERS OFFERED TO SELL AT THE EXISTING PROCUREMENT PRICE. THE GRAIN HAD TO BE STORED IN FACILITIES THAT AFFORDED POOR PROTECTION FROM WEATHER, INSECTS, RODENTS, AND THEFT. LOSSES OF THE STORED WHEAT WERE IMMENSE. FERTILIZER OFFTAKE FIGURES SUGGEST A SIMILAR PRODUCTION INCREASE FOR 1977. RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE STUDY TEAM FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION ARE: DAMAGED WHEAT STOCKS SHOULD BE IDENTIFIED AND SOLD IMMEDIATELY FOR ANIMAL FOOD. AN AGENCY SHOULD BE SET UP TO COORDINATE GRAIN STORAGE ACTIVITIES IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR. CURRENT GRAIN STOCKS IN GOOD CONDITION SHOULD BE ADEQUATELY PROTECTED FROM INSECT AND MOISTURE DAMAGE. IN THE MEDIUM TERM, STUDIES SHOULD BE CONDUCTED TO DETERMINE THE BEST STORAGE FACILITY LOCATIONS AND SIZES. ALTERNATIVE STORAGE DESIGNS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. MARKETING ECONOMISTS AND TECHNICAL PERSONNEL SHOULD BE RECRUITED AND TRAINED. IN THE LONG TERM, A THOROUGH STUDY OF THE POST-HARVEST SYSTEM SHOULD BE MADE. A STUDY OF THE ENTIRE MARKETING SYSTEM SHOULD BE MADE TO FIND THE BEST LOCATION AND USE FOR STORAGE FACILITIES AND TO EXAMINE THE EFFECTS OF GOVERNMENT POLICIES.