Farmers seek early wheat policy, fair support price

MULTAN, Jul 25 (APP): Pakistan Kissan Ittehad (PKI) President Khalid Mahmood Khokhar on Saturday urged the government to announce next year’s wheat policy ahead of the sowing season,warning that continued policy uncertainty could undermine wheat production and threaten food security.

Speaking at a press conference at the Multan Press Club, Khokhar said wheat growers had suffered heavy financial losses after selling their crop at rates ranging from Rs.2800 to Rs.3200 per maund against an estimated production cost of Rs.3450 per maund.

He called on the government to announce the wheat support price every August, proposing that it be fixed at the cost of production plus a 25% profit margin to enable farmers to make informed cultivation decisions.

The PKI chief also demanded a reduction in diesel, electricity and fertilizer prices, the immediate restoration of urea plants to avert shortages and greater involvement of farmers in budgetary and agricultural policy-making.

Khokhar expressed concern over the declining use of DAP fertilizer, warning that lower application rates could adversely affect crop yields.

He also criticised the growing reliance on agricultural imports and declining exports, urging the government to adopt policies that promote domestic production and strengthen the farm economy.

Referring to the wheat market, he said growers were being denied remunerative prices while consumers continued to pay high flour prices, calling for reforms to eliminate market distortions and ensure equitable returns for both producers and consumers.

Highlighting agriculture’s role in the national economy, Khokhar said farmers had consistently safeguarded the country’s food security, including during the Covid-19 pandemic and urged the government to take timely decisions to protect their interests before the next wheat season begins.