FPCCI Calls for Fundamental Review of Wheat Policy Amid Farmer Concerns

Shahid Imran, convener of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Regional Committee on Food, has called for a fundamental review of Pakistan's wheat policy. Speaking at a seminar titled 'Rethinking our Wheat Policy', he emphasized that farmers are under severe financial pressure due to rising production costs.

Farmers demand harvest-time prices equivalent to import parity to offset expenses such as diesel, electricity, fertilizers, and pesticides. However, balancing this demand with consumer interests requires a comprehensive policy overhaul, Imran noted.

He proposed establishing and maintaining strategic wheat reserves of at least four million tonnes, which would be procured and released at prevailing market prices rather than through fixed rates. This would serve as a market-stabilization tool and protect low-income households through targeted subsidies if international prices surge.

Punjab produces roughly 77% of Pakistan's wheat, but the province's shifting procurement approaches over the past three crop cycles have failed to yield desired results, leaving farmers to bear financial losses. Imran suggested recognizing private stockists in a deregulated market to absorb surplus wheat during harvests and preventing market concentration.