Pakistan Tobacco Growers Association Rejects Set Prices

At a meeting convened by the Tobacco Growers Association of Pakistan (TGAP), tobacco growers rejected the tobacco prices set by the federal government for the upcoming year. Instead, they demanded price increases based on rising inflation and escalating crop production costs.

Attendees reported that the National Food Security and Research Department has submitted a summary to the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet to determine the minimum price for tobacco crops in 2023.

They stated that ECC has fixed the price of Virginia Flue-Cured (FCV) tobacco at 310 rupees per kilogram in the plain areas and 351 rupees per kilogram in the mountainous areas.

Similarly, they stated that the price of Dark Air Cured (DAC) tobacco is fixed at 190 rupees per kilogram, while White Patta (WP) and Naswar/Hookah tobacco are fixed at 146 rupees per kilogram. Virginia Sun Cured (SCV) tobacco is fixed at 200 rupees per kilogram, and White Rib tobacco is fixed at 233 rupees per kilogram.

Liaqat Yousafzai, the central chairman of TGAP, stated at the meeting that the new fixed prices are significantly lower than the expenses incurred by farmers in the production of tobacco.

Arif Ali Khan, president of Ittehad Kashtkaran in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, stated that the farmers are hoping for the Prime Minister to reconsider this decision.

The attendees decided to meet with the federal Minister of Food Safety and Research, Tariq Cheema, to update him on their concerns.

They demanded to fix the price of tobacco at 400 rupees per kilogram.

Joint research: The Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology and the Punjab Information Technology University (ITU) signed a memorandum of understanding here a few days ago to promote joint academic and research activities.

Professor Fazal Ahmad Khalid, President of the GIK Institute, and Professor Sarfraz Khurshid, Vice Chairman of the International Telecommunication Union, have signed a memorandum of understanding.

According to the agreement, they will exchange scientific, academic, and technological information, as well as relevant academic materials and any information of mutual interest that both parties have intellectual property rights to. In addition to collaborating on joint research and development in areas of mutual interest, they will also strive to identify opportunities for communication and cooperation.

Meanwhile, the GIK Institute and Pak-Austria Fachhochschule Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology (PAF-IAST) have signed a memorandum of understanding, agreeing to use each other's facilities and promoting cooperation between them.

Dr. Khalid and Professor Mohammad Mujahid, Principal of PAF-IAST, have signed an agreement.

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