Farmers plan nationwide protests over rising costs and low crop prices

The Pakistan Kisan Rabita Committee (PKRC), a coalition of 36 farmer organizations, has announced nationwide protests on October 18, 2026, to demand government action on rising farm costs and low crop prices. The PKRC accuses the government of pursuing policies that harm farmers and leaving crop prices vulnerable to market fluctuations. They are calling for a support price of Rs5,000 per maund for wheat and Rs700 per 40kg for sugarcane.

PKRC President Tariq Mahmood highlighted the financial burden farmers face due to high costs of seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and diesel. He criticized the government's decision to allow private companies to procure wheat, which has made it difficult for farmers to secure fair prices. General Secretary Riffat Maqsood questioned the sustainability of the agricultural sector under current conditions.

Farooq Tariq, a central leader of the PKRC, emphasized that agricultural policies should involve input from actual farm workers to ensure national food security. The committee has issued a list of demands, including the abolition of the private wheat procurement system and the restoration of official state purchasing through Passco and provincial food departments. They also called for subsidized inputs, timely payments to sugarcane growers, and easier access to agricultural credit for small and medium farmers.

The PKRC urged the government to negotiate immediately rather than waiting for the October 18 demonstrations. They stressed the need for support prices to be announced before sowing begins to help farmers make informed production decisions.