“Time to Recite Fateha Over Agriculture”: Farmers’ Leader Warns of Worst Year Ahead

Lahore — Pakistan Kissan Ittehad president Khalid Khokhar has warned that the current year will be extremely difficult for growers and that the farm sector and national food security could face serious risks if the government does not act immediately.

Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Khokhar said agriculture was in deep crisis. He urged the government to stop politicising flour, sugar and sugarcane and instead ensure farmers a fair price for their produce.

He said the cost of producing wheat had reached Rs3,850 per maund and demanded a minimum support price of Rs4,700 per maund for the next season. A fair rate, he argued, could help avoid a flour or wheat shortage next year.

According to Khokhar, farmers sold wheat this year at Rs3,000 to Rs3,500 per maund, while the same wheat has now risen to about Rs5,000 per maund, hurting both growers and consumers.

He also claimed the government was preparing to import 3 million tonnes of wheat and said delayed decisions could worsen the situation. Accusing sugar mill owners of exploiting growers, he said the cost of taking cane to mills was about Rs500 per maund, so farmers should receive at least Rs700 per maund.

Khokhar said urea, DAP, electricity and diesel were costlier in Pakistan than in many other countries, while poor management had added to farmers’ troubles. Growers, he said, were being forced to sell land, trees and jewellery to cover production costs and had lost heart.

“This year will be the most terrible for farmers. It is time to recite fateha over agriculture,” he said, demanding immediate practical steps to protect farm output, rural livelihoods and food security.