The Punjab government announced on Monday that it has provided a comprehensive support package worth Rs110 billion for farmers, encompassing the total expenditure on various initiatives launched for growers across the province.
Last week, in response to declining wheat prices during the harvest season and widespread farmer protests, the Maryam Nawaz-led administration unveiled a Rs15 billion relief package for wheat farmers. However, during a meeting chaired by the chief minister on Monday, an additional Rs25 billion package under the ‘Wheat Farmer Support Programme’ was approved.
A government statement released after the meeting described the Rs110 billion as a record-breaking total support for the province’s farmers. However, it did not detail the exact portion allocated to wheat growers in terms of new funding.
As part of the package, the chief minister directed that wheat farmers receive Rs5,000 per acre, up to a maximum of Rs25,000 for five acres of cultivated wheat land.
The CM also ordered legal amendments requiring flour mills to purchase at least 25% of the province’s total wheat output for the current season.
In support of procurement efforts, the government has already launched an ‘Electronic Warehouse Housing Reset’ policy, with formal notification issued. Additionally, the CM instructed the provincial agriculture minister to oversee the wheat procurement drive, with the Price Control Department assisting and the Bank of Punjab establishing a Rs100 billion credit line to support the campaign.
The meeting revealed that farmers have bought Rs55 billion worth of agricultural inputs using Kisan Cards. Subsidies include Rs10 billion for 9,500 tractors, with another 1,000 tractors distributed free of cost, costing the government Rs 2.5 billion. Wheat farmers also received Rs8 billion in subsidies for tube well solarisation and another Rs8 billion for 5,000 super seeders.
To encourage wheat production, the farmer with the highest yield in the province will receive a free 85 HP tractor worth Rs4.5 million. The first and second runners-up will be awarded 75 HP (Rs4 million) and 60 HP (Rs3.5 million) tractors, respectively.
Furthermore, top wheat producers in each district will be rewarded:
- Rs1 million for first place,
- Rs800,000 for second,
- Rs500,000 for third,
amounting to Rs104 million in prizes across the province.
An agriculture internship programme valued at Rs1.25 billion has also been launched. Around 1,000 interns will work on the ground to assist and guide wheat farmers.
In addition, cotton farmers will receive Rs25,000 per block, with a total allocation of Rs375 million.
Despite these announcements, Farooq Tariq, General Secretary of the Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee, stated that farmers are demanding a wheat support price of Rs4,000 per maund, underlining ongoing concerns within the agricultural community.
Pakistan needs to spend atleast 10 trillion rupees on farmers annually. Otherwise this country is doomed.