Farmers announce nationwide protests over rising costs and crop prices
The Pakistan Kisan Rabita Committee (PKRC), an alliance of 36 farmer organisations, has announced nationwide demonstrations on October 18 over rising agricultural costs and what it describes as inadequate prices for major crops.
The farmers’ group has called for immediate support prices of Rs5,000 per maund for wheat and Rs700 per 40kg for sugarcane.
The announcement was made after a meeting of PKRC member organisations, including farmer groups from Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh.
PKRC leaders said farmers were facing increasing expenses on seeds, fertilisers, pesticides and fuel while struggling to receive fair returns for their produce.
PKRC President Tariq Mahmood said growers invest significant amounts of money and effort throughout the farming cycle but often face uncertainty when it is time to sell their crops.
General Secretary Riffat Maqsood also raised concerns about the long-term sustainability of the agricultural sector under the current market conditions.
PKRC central leader Farooq Tariq said agricultural policies should be developed after consultation with farmers and other stakeholders. He called for support prices to be announced before the sowing season so growers can make informed decisions about crop production.
The organisation has urged the government to begin negotiations before the planned October 18 demonstrations.
Among its key demands, the PKRC wants wheat support prices fixed at Rs5,000 per maund and sugarcane at Rs700 per 40kg. It also wants wheat prices to be announced before sowing begins.
The farmers’ alliance has opposed private-sector procurement of wheat and called for the restoration of government purchasing through PASSCO and provincial food departments. It said the state should ensure that farmers have a guaranteed market for their wheat.
The group also demanded affordable agricultural inputs and greater government oversight of sugar mills to ensure that growers receive payments for sugarcane on time.
Other demands include easier agricultural loans for small and medium-sized farmers and greater representation of genuine farmer organisations and agricultural workers’ groups in the formulation of future policies.
The PKRC said it would continue its protest campaign unless its concerns were addressed through negotiations with the government.
