Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said the government will announce new wheat prices after consulting the provinces, with a focus on ensuring fair returns for farmers and keeping wheat affordable for consumers.
Chairing the first meeting of the National Agriculture and Food Security Council (NAFSC) in Islamabad, the prime minister stressed that wheat prices should be set before the start of the sowing season so farmers know what they can expect in return for their hard work.
“We want farmers to get the right price for wheat and consumers to get affordable wheat,” he said, adding that consultations with the provinces would be completed before the government announces the new price.
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Sharif said the country had enough wheat to meet domestic demand and warned that no leniency would be shown to those involved in hoarding the commodity.
He described agriculture as a key pillar of Pakistan’s economy, saying the sector could help the country achieve economic growth in a short period. He added that the federal government would provide all possible assistance to the provinces to strengthen agricultural development.
The prime minister said the government was prioritising access to affordable fertilisers, quality seeds, modern machinery and equipment, and technical training to help farmers use water more efficiently. He also stressed the importance of ensuring fair prices for agricultural produce, particularly for small and medium-sized farmers.
Highlighting the livestock sector’s potential, Sharif said it could play a major role in boosting exports. He added that the government was taking steps to expand the export of Pakistani halal meat.
The prime minister also appreciated the Punjab government’s efforts to support farmers through initiatives such as aquaculture, shrimp farming and direct subsidies under the Kisan Card programme. He also praised the Sindh government’s work to promote farmer development and improve access to facilities.
During the meeting, the Punjab chief minister and Sindh’s food minister shared details of their respective initiatives to support farmers. Officials also briefed participants on agricultural development measures being taken in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, federal ministers Rana Tanveer Hussain, Musadik Malik, Jam Kamal Khan, Ahsan Iqbal and Attaullah Tarar attended the meeting, along with other cabinet members and advisers. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Sindh Agriculture Minister Makhdoom Mahboob Zaman and senior officials were also present.