Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said the government will announce a new wheat price after consulting provincial governments, aiming to ensure fair returns for farmers without making wheat unaffordable for consumers.
Chairing the first meeting of the National Agriculture and Food Security Council (NAFSC) in Islamabad, the prime minister stressed that the price should be finalized before the sowing season begins.
He said the government wanted farmers to receive a fair price for their produce while ensuring consumers could buy wheat at affordable rates. Consultations with the provinces would be completed before the official announcement, he added.
Sharif said Pakistan had enough wheat to meet domestic demand and warned that the government would take a firm stance against hoarding.
He described agriculture as a key pillar of the national economy and said the sector could help accelerate economic growth. The federal government would provide all possible assistance to provincial administrations to improve agricultural productivity, he added.
The prime minister said the government was prioritizing affordable fertilizers, quality seeds, modern agricultural machinery and equipment, and technical training to help farmers use water more efficiently.
He also emphasized the need to ensure fair prices for agricultural produce, particularly for small and medium-sized farmers.
Sharif highlighted the potential of the livestock sector to boost exports and said the government was working to expand overseas sales of Pakistani halal meat.
He praised the Punjab government’s initiatives to support farmers, including aquaculture, shrimp farming and direct financial assistance through the Kisan Card programme. He also appreciated the Sindh government’s efforts to improve farmers’ livelihoods and access to essential facilities.
During the meeting, the Punjab chief minister and Sindh’s food minister presented details of their respective initiatives for the agricultural sector. Officials also briefed participants on development measures in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar attended the meeting alongside federal ministers Rana Tanveer Hussain, Musadik Malik, Jam Kamal Khan, Ahsan Iqbal and Attaullah Tarar. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Sindh Agriculture Minister Makhdoom Mahboob Zaman, other cabinet members, advisers and senior officials were also present.
