Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s intervention to increase wheat procurement target to 1.8 million metric tons and ensure immediate action by Pakistan Agricultural Storage & Services Corporation Ltd (Passco) is a step in right direction. However, it underscores a deeper issue plaguing our agricultural sector: the persistent challenges faced by farmers be it procurement of their produce at good rates or high prices of necessary inputs.
Wheat is undeniably a cornerstone cash crop for Pakistani farmers, serving as their primary source of income and means of repaying debts incurred during crop production. Therefore, any delay or uncertainty in wheat procurement significantly impacts their livelihoods and financial stability. PM Shehbaz Sharif’s announcement to augment wheat procurement target and prioritise transparency and convenience for farmers is a positive move, especially given the country’s ample wheat stocks resulting from earlier imports. However, it is disheartening that Pakistan, despite being an agriculture-centric nation, heavily relies on imports for basic agricultural commodities like wheat. The current scenario, where federal and provincial governments hesitated to promptly procure wheat at a fair price, sent a discouraging message to farmers. Despite expectations of a bumper wheat crop this year, delays in procurement exacerbate farmers’ concerns and disincentives wheat cultivation. It is imperative for both federal and Punjab governments to swiftly address these issues by ensuring immediate procurement of wheat at support price set by them. A mechanism needs to be evolved that such a situation does not recur in future. By prioritising the needs of farmers, especially small ones, the government can bolster agricultural productivity and reduce reliance on costly imports. Facilitating farmers not only secures their livelihoods but also strengthens overall agricultural landscape, contributing to national food security and reducing the burden on foreign exchange reserves spent on importing agricultural products.
