ISLAMABAD: The Kisan Ittehad and Kisan Bachao Tehreek, two farmer organizations, have announced protests in all districts of Pakistan starting today, May 2, 2024 against the government’s failure to procure wheat from farmers at a fair price.
The protests come as wheat prices in various districts of Punjab and Sindh have further declined, with farmers forced to sell their produce for as low as Rs. 2,800 per 40 kg (man).
According to sources in the Food Department, the government will start providing financial assistance to small farmers through Kisan Cards in a few days. However, in the meantime, flour mills, seed mills, and arhtis (grain traders) are continuing to procure wheat from the market at low prices.
Negotiations between the Punjab government and farmers over wheat procurement have so far failed to yield any results. The government’s subsidy scheme only benefits about 120,000 farmers, leaving out the majority of the growers.
Sources say the government is considering providing a subsidy of Rs. 300 to Rs. 500 per man to farmers. However, if only those eligible under the current policy are given the subsidy, the cost could exceed Rs. 5 billion.
The Kisan Ittehad and Kisan Bachao Tehreek have announced plans to hold demonstrations in all districts starting from May 2. Kisan Ittehad President Khalid Bath and Kisan Bachao Tehreek leader Javed Sultan have stated that farmers have been left at the mercy of the market.
Farmers across the country will participate in demonstrations in all districts to protest against the government’s policies. They will bring their cattle and wheat to the streets for the purpose of protest.
The government is reportedly willing to procure wheat with a 10% moisture content. However, due to recent rains, the moisture content of wheat in most parts of Punjab is now over 16%, making it ineligible for purchase under the government’s policy.
