President of Kissan Ittehad Chaudhry Khalid Baath talking in the SAMAA Money program of SAMAA Digital voiced concerns over the prevailing government purchase system of wheat and sugarcane.
Baath argued that farmers are prepared to explore alternative avenues such as exporting wheat and selling it domestically. He lamented the contradictory directives from authorities, highlighting instances where farmers were urged to cultivate wheat only to face refusal by the government to purchase it at promised rates.
He claimed farmers were compelled to sell their produce to middlemen and flour mill owners at rates significantly lower than the government's announced price.
The farmer leader emphasized the need for adjusting the price of essential commodities like roti (bread) to reflect the actual cost of wheat procurement by millers, suggesting a reduction from Rs16 to Rs10 per maund.
Asim Raza, Central Chairman of the Pakistan Flour Mills Association, cautioned against potential price hikes in flour due to increased costs stemming from middlemen's control over wheat supply.
Raza raised concerns about the deterioration of stored wheat, urging prompt action to sell the surplus stock held by government entities like the Punjab government and PASCO.
He warned of nutrient loss and a rise in procurement costs if the surplus wheat is not sold promptly.
There is growing tension between farmers and government entities as farmers have rejected the government's announced rate to buy per mound wheat at Rs3900.
