Pakistan approves wheat policy to boost farmer incomes

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a high-level meeting that approved Pakistan’s National Wheat Policy 2025–26, aimed at ensuring fair prices for farmers and strengthening national food security through strategic wheat procurement.

The meeting, held at the Prime Minister’s Office, was attended by the chief ministers of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Gilgit-Baltistan, as well as a representative from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, the Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and other key stakeholders.

“Wheat is not only the staple food for the people of Pakistan but also the most significant source of income for our farmers,” Prime Minister Sharif said during the session. "We are fully aware of the challenges faced by the farming community, and every possible effort is being made to ensure their welfare.”

Sharif emphasized the central role of farmers in the national economy, calling them “the backbone of Pakistan’s agriculture sector.”
The federal government, he said, developed the wheat policy following extensive consultations with all stakeholders, including provincial governments, farmer organizations, agricultural experts, and industry representatives.

“Based on these consultations, the government is announcing the National Wheat Policy 2025–26. The goal is to safeguard public interest while also securing profitable returns for our farmers,” the prime minister stated.

He also acknowledged the consensus-based approach taken with the provinces and expressed optimism that the policy would drive agricultural development, increase farmer incomes, and enhance food security nationwide.

Key policy measures

Briefing the participants, officials outlined the major components of the new policy:

• The federal and provincial governments will jointly procure approximately 6.2 million metric tons of strategic wheat reserves from the 2025–26 harvest.
• The procurement price will be set at PKR 3,500 per 40 kg, aligned with international wheat import prices to maintain market competitiveness and ensure fair farmer compensation.
• There will be no inter-provincial restrictions on wheat transportation to ensure equitable availability across the country.
• A National Wheat Monitoring Committee, chaired by the Federal Minister for National Food Security, will oversee implementation and coordination of policy measures.
• The committee will include representatives from all provinces and will hold weekly meetings, reporting directly to the Prime Minister.

The government aims to stabilize domestic wheat stocks, protect farmers from market fluctuations, and ensure nationwide food security, the briefing added.

“This policy will ensure fair prices for farmers while maintaining a competitive market structure. It is a major step toward economic justice in the agriculture sector,” said a senior official during the briefing.