Sets the support price of wheat at Rs 3,500 per 40 kg; Small producers will receive subsidies for fertilizers.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah speaks during a press conference on Wednesday. Photo: NNI
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has announced a major relief package of Rs 55 billion for farmers, fixing the support price of wheat at Rs 3,500 per 40 kg and offering subsidized fertilizers to small farmers to ease the burden of rising cultivation costs.
At a news conference on Wednesday, he said the provincial government planned to procure between 0.8 and 1.2 million tonnes of wheat during the 2025-26 harvest season. Under the new package, small farmers will receive one bag of DAP and two bags of urea per acre at subsidized prices.
The CM said the initiative aims to ensure timely supply of fertilizers, promote transparent procurement of wheat and ensure prompt payments to farmers to sustain their interest in the crop and strengthen food security.
Shah said the government was committed to providing fair compensation to farmers and emphasized that the support price protects them from exploitative middlemen and market fluctuations.
Read more: Farmers to get Rs 3,500 per maund when govt approves wheat policy for 2025-26
He added that although the province initially recommended Rs 4,000 per 40 kg, the Sindh government accepted the federal government’s approved rate of Rs 3,500 to provide immediate relief to farmers.
He credited PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s efforts for helping the province gain federal approval despite IMF constraints, calling it “a success that underscores the power of coordinated negotiations within fiscal constraints.”
The Prime Minister further announced that the proposed triple increase in agricultural income tax had been postponed, restoring the previous rate of 15 per cent. He said this decision was based on “genuine financial pressure” faced by small farmers.
Highlighting last year’s achievements, Shah said the 2023-24 wheat procurement drive helped stabilize the market, prevent flour shortage and reduce costly imports.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to balanced agricultural development and economic stability, noting that the departments of food and agriculture were working closely to achieve these objectives.
Law and order, Afghan repatriation policy
Responding to a question on security, Shah said the government was focused on maintaining law and order in both urban and rural areas, addressing two key challenges – dacoit activity in the interior and street crime in cities.
He said police modernization, better training and better coordination were being carried out to strengthen the force’s capacity.
Regarding the federal government’s decision on repatriation of Afghans, the CM said there is now a “national consensus” that all Afghan refugees should return home. He assured that the Sindh government would fully implement the federal policy to ensure an orderly and legal process.
Shah also directed the Sindh chief secretary to coordinate with his Punjab counterpart on inter-provincial movement of certified seeds and directed health and municipal authorities to intensify anti-dengue fumigation drives across the province.
