Rapid Expansion of Pakistan's Food Exports by 1.62% During the Initial Nine Months of Fiscal Year 2024-2025
Farmers Harvest Wheat Amidst Challenges in Multan, Pakistan 2025
A farmer toils in a wheat field in Multan, Pakistan, on April 20, 2025. (Photo by Mansoor Abbas/Xinhua)
It's a sweaty affair for farmers as they harvest wheat in Multan, a city marked by the verdant fields of Punjab. Yet, the burgeoning crop faces formidable challenges in 2025.
Initial targets were set for Multan to produce 22 million tonnes (MT) of wheat, but the province seems set to fall short by 12%. The shortfall can be traced back to soaring production costs, particularly for fertilizers and diesel, and the absence of a price guarantee mechanism[1].
Farmers in Multan, who contribute more than 75% of Pakistan's wheat output, are feeling the heat. The scrapping of the wheat support price has left them vulnerable to lower trading offers, compounding their financial woes[1]. At present, the open market price of Rs2,100 per maund is a staggering Rs1,200 less than the cost of production[1].
The Punjab government has initiated some relieving measures, such as waiving irrigation fees and fixed taxes for wheat farmers, offering a free storage facility through Electronic Warehouse Receipts (EWR), and removing restrictions on wheat transportation[3][5]. However, these steps have failed to alleviate farmers' concerns about pricing[3].
Economic pressures and rising costs have left farmers reeling, and their plea for a fair price mechanism is growing louder. Cries of potential discontinuation of wheat sowing next year echo if their demands aren't met[2][5].
The market deregulation has opened up possibilities for better prices through increased competition[5]. However, the lack of a guaranteed price persists as a significant concern for farmers. Tensions are running high, with farmers planning protests if a fair price isn't announced[5]. Even political figures like Maryam Nawaz have stepped in, offering advice on wheat cultivation, adding a political dimension to the issue[5].
The fate of wheat production in Multan could rest on the government's ability to address pricing concerns and create a supportive environment for farmers. The push for zinc-biofortified wheat production could potentially diversify and improve the wheat crop in the region[4]. If economic and pricing matters are not addressed promptly, the future for these hardworking farmers remains uncertain.
- In the face of soaring production costs and a lack of price guarantee mechanisms, the financial difficulties of farmers in Multan, contributing significantly to Pakistan's wheat industry, are mounting, with the open market price of wheat being a staggering Rs1,200 less than the cost of production.
- With the potential discontinuation of wheat sowing Next year echoing if their demands for a fair pricing mechanism aren't met, farmers in Multan are planning protests, leaving the future of wheat exports and the industry uncertain.
