Farmers in Pakistan Protest Government’s Wheat Procurement Policy
Amidst ongoing protests by farmers in Pakistan, concerns over food security are escalating as the government faces criticism for its wheat procurement policies. The protests, spanning several months, erupted following a reduction in the government’s wheat procurement quota. Particularly prominent in Sindh province, where early crop yields are significant, the standoff persists even after two months since the conclusion of this year’s wheat harvest.
According to Akram Khaskheli, President of the Sindh-based Hari Welfare Association, government officials allegedly divert wheat bags intended for farmers to small-scale traders in exchange for kickbacks. This practice undermines the government’s prescribed purchasing rate of PKR 100,000 per 100 kilograms, causing distress among farmers.
Khaskheli warns that continued mismanagement by the government could lead to the loss of valuable crops, exacerbating food insecurity despite the availability of wheat.
Climate Change Exacerbates Agricultural Crisis
The current agricultural crisis in Pakistan is intricately linked to climatic upheavals, notably the devastating floods that ravaged the country between July and September 2022. These floods, exacerbated by a confluence of climatic factors including ocean warming, severely impacted agricultural lands, affecting approximately 15 percent of Pakistan’s cropland.
In regions like Johi in the Dadu district of Sindh province, the aftermath of the floods endured for multiple seasons, with stagnant water impeding cultivation efforts. Talib Gadehi, a local farmer, highlighted the prolonged consequences of the disaster, including the collapse of crucial infrastructure like barrages, rendering vast swathes of cultivable land barren and prompting mass migration from the area.
Rising Inflation and Imports Compound Food Security Challenges
Pakistan’s slide in the Global Hunger Index rankings, from 99th place in 2022 to 102nd in 2023, underscores the severity of the food insecurity situation. Elevated food prices, exacerbated by climatic disruptions, have pushed poverty rates up, affecting vulnerable households across the country.
Wheat, constituting 72 percent of Pakistan’s staple food, remains central to discussions on food security and inflation. The decision by the caretaker government to import wheat in late 2023, despite signs of agricultural recovery, has further compounded tensions. With farmers expecting higher yields, the surplus imported wheat has led to protests as the government now seeks to purchase less from local producers.
The Call for Effective Solutions Amidst Challenges
While experts like Muhammad Arif Goheer advocate for precision agriculture and the use of high-yielding seeds to address food inflation and security concerns, challenges persist at the grassroots level. Farmers like Khaskheli emphasize the lack of support in accessing quality inputs and fair market prices, hampering efforts to enhance crop yields and ensure food security.
Amidst calls for governmental intervention, agricultural scientists like Zafar Ali Khokhar stress the potential of local seed varieties to boost production. However, challenges in seed supply and quality persist, underscoring the need for comprehensive policy reforms.
Conclusion: Urgent Action Required
As Pakistan grapples with the intersecting challenges of climate change, policy shortcomings, and socioeconomic vulnerabilities, urgent action is imperative. With the agricultural sector serving as a linchpin of the country’s economy and food security, concerted efforts are needed to address systemic issues and empower farmers with the tools and resources necessary to navigate an increasingly uncertain future.
