The recent crackdown on protesting farmers in Lahore and other cities, stemming from grievances over the government’s wheat procurement policy and delays in official purchases, is deeply concerning.
Throughout Punjab, farmers were subjected to mistreatment and arrests by law enforcement, notably in Lahore and southern regions, as they resorted to street protests after feeling neglected by the authorities. Wheat prices have nosedived in markets, falling well below the support price of Rs3,900 per 40kg, exacerbated by recent rains compounding farmers’ difficulties.
Regrettably, the government has downplayed the severity of the situation, dismissing the protests as politically motivated. Such disregard for those vital to the nation’s food production is unacceptable, and the ruling PML-N may soon face significant political repercussions for neglecting farmers, particularly smallholders who have announced plans to block highways with opposition support.
While the provincial administration seeks to rationalize wheat purchases by digitizing processes, reducing procurement targets, and delaying official purchases, it’s recognized that the longstanding policy of excessive government intervention in the wheat market has become burdensome and inefficient.
While ostensibly aimed at supporting growers and ensuring food security, these interventions primarily benefit middlemen and flour millers, often operating on subsidized wheat quotas. This policy must evolve.
However, an abrupt withdrawal of government support risks further harm to farmers, especially amidst plummeting wheat prices due to record production and adverse weather conditions. A gradual transition away from government involvement, with the implementation of a new, effective support mechanism over several years, is essential.
Many attribute the restricted official purchase target to the caretaker administration’s imprudent decision to import over 3.2Mt of wheat when the domestic harvest was imminent. This decision, deemed reckless by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, contributed significantly to market volatility and should be thoroughly investigated to assign accountability.