Wheat purchase sends positive signal to farmers

Welcoming the government's latest agricultural initiative, the Pakistan Business Forum (PBF) has commended the prime minister's decision to procure wheat in the upcoming crop season, calling it a timely move that offers critical financial relief to farmers and a much-needed boost to the agriculture sector.

Talking to media, PBF Chief Organiser Ahmad Jawad stated that under the newly announced Wheat Procurement Policy 2025-26, the federal and provincial governments plan to purchase 6.2 million tons of wheat. He emphasised that the policy would directly benefit farmers, especially in the light of severe economic setbacks caused by recent floods, which inflicted damages worth over Rs430 billion to the agricultural economy.

"This policy brings a ray of hope to farmers across the country. By ensuring early procurement and financial liquidity before the sowing season, it empowers growers to plan effectively for the year ahead," said Jawad at the media briefing.

The PBF urged the government to go a step further by introducing a comprehensive support package to help achieve the national wheat cultivation targets. This proposed package includes the joint provision of two bags of urea and one bag of di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) fertiliser per farmer by both federal and provincial authorities. According to the forum, such measures will help lower production costs and allow farmers to complete sowing on time.

Highlighting the financial pressures currently faced by the farming community, Jawad stressed the urgency of government intervention. "If the government succeeds in achieving the wheat procurement target, it will not only strengthen the agriculture sector but also revive financial activity in rural areas, where the economy is largely driven by wheat cultivation," he said.