Crop yields plummet amid climate change
The agricultural sector in Punjab is facing a crisis as climate change and underperforming hybrid seeds have led to a drop in per-acre crop yields. This year, wheat and maize prices have fallen b y 50% compared to last year, exacerbating the financial strain on farmers who are already burdened by rising cultivation costs.
Farmers report that wheat cultivation is expected to decrease by 40% due to low yields and increased expenses.
Additionally, wheat stored by farmers is deteriorating because of insufficient fumigation and storage facilities.
Financial constraints have forced farmers to reduce their use of essential fertilisers, with urea usage down by 21% and phosphorus by 16%, which is likely to worsen the agricultural crisis.
During a recent high-level meeting in Islamabad, farmer representatives warned Federal Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer and military officials that the agricultural sector is on the brink of collapse.
Khalid Mehmood Khokhar, chairman of the Pakistan Kisan Ittehad, highlighted the drastic decline in paddy and maize yields, dropping from over 100 maunds per acre last year to just 40-45 maunds this year.
The crisis is partly attributed to the failure of new hybrid seeds developed by local companies, which were not resilient enough to withstand the severe heat wave.
The prices of other crops like "til" have also plummeted, with its market value dropping from Rs25,000 per maund last year to Rs10,000-11,000 per maund this year. Similarly, maize prices have halved from Rs4,400 to Rs2,200 per maund.
Adding to farmers' woes, the cost of electricity for agriculture has surged, now exceeding Rs55 per unit, compared to Rs48 per unit for industrial use.
This imbalance has further strained the agricultural community, which relies on both affordable rates and high yields to sustain their livelihoods.
Farmers were initially promised a wheat price of Rs3,900 per maund, but are currently receiving only Rs2,500 per maund.
With their stored wheat being damaged due to pest infestations and poor storage conditions, trust in the government's support for wheat cultivation has eroded.
The financial hardships of farmers are further evident in the reduced use of vital fertilisers. The balanced application of fertilisers is essential for increasing per-acre yield, but the current economic conditions make this difficult.
The tractor manufacturing industry is also on the verge of collapse due to unfavourable economic policies.
The Kisan Card scheme has provided limited relief but farmers urged the government to take practical measures to restore the sector and support them.