Removes five-bag per acre limit and says government will buy wheat directly from farmers
KARACHI:
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah announced major relief measures for small farmers by announcing the abolition of the limit of five bags per acre and said registered small growers can now sell wheat to the government without quantity restrictions.
The Chief Minister made the announcement at a high-level meeting attended by Sindh Chief Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, Food Minister Makhdoom Mehboob Zaman, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah and other senior officials. The meeting was held to review the ongoing 2026 wheat procurement campaign.
Officials said the wheat procurement campaign, launched on April 1, targets one million tonnes, with a support price set at Rs 3,500 per 40 kg. The program covers more than 332,000 farmers cultivating approximately 1.94 million acres across the province.
The Food Minister informed the meeting that only 8,958 tonnes of wheat have been purchased so far, against a target of 973,900 tonnes, attributing the deficit largely to previous restrictions imposed on small farmers.
Taking note, Murad ordered the immediate removal of the limit, directing the food department to expedite procurement, ensure prompt payments and strengthen on-ground engagement with farmers.
The meeting was informed that payments to farmers have improved significantly with funds now being transferred within a day through a designated bank. So far, Rs198.3 million have been disbursed, the meeting was informed.
The chief minister stressed that timely payments are essential to boost farmers’ confidence and asked the authorities to encourage growers to bring their wheat to official procurement centers. He added that farmers selling their produce to the government will remain eligible for future subsidies and support programs.
To improve efficiency, the government created a complaints room, activated monitoring by deputy commissioners and revenue officers, and opened 12 additional procurement centers. Strict monitoring was ordered to ensure transparency and root out corruption, with a zero-tolerance policy for irregularities.
Murad reiterated that the wheat procurement campaign is vital to supporting farmers and ensuring food security in the province, saying farmers remain the backbone of the economy and will continue to receive fair prices, timely payments and effective policy support.
