Farmers Demand 10% Budget Allocation to Revitalize Agriculture Sector

ISLAMABAD: The Kissan Board Pakistan has called for a minimum of 10% allocation from federal and provincial budgets to the agriculture sector, aiming to reduce input costs and tackle ongoing deficits. This demand comes amid rising concerns over profitability and sustainability in farming.

The farmers’ organization is advocating for support prices of Rs5,000 per 40kg for wheat and Rs700 for sugarcane, highlighting issues such as urea shortages, soaring electricity bills, and weak returns from the fruit sector. They have warned of potential protests if their demands are not addressed, emphasizing that their case for increased budgetary allocations is critical. Currently, agriculture contributes approximately 22% to Pakistan’s GDP and supports nearly 60% of the population, yet it receives a mere 2-3% of total budget allocations.

This disparity raises questions about the government’s commitment to the agricultural sector, which is vital for food security and economic stability. Critics argue that simply increasing funding is insufficient; historical reliance on price subsidies and input support has often led to market distortions and favored larger, more connected producers over small farmers.

Looking ahead, the Kissan Board plans to engage with government officials to push for their demands, while also calling for structural reforms that address the underlying weaknesses in the agricultural system. The outcome of these discussions could significantly impact the livelihoods of millions of farmers across the country.