Sets the support price for wheat at Rs 3,500. per 40 kg; small growers to get fertilizer subsidies
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah speaks during a press conference on Wednesday. Photo: NNI
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has announced a major relief package of Rs 55 billion for farmers, fixing the support price of wheat at Rs 3,500 per quintal. 40 kg and offers subsidized fertilizer to small growers to ease the burden of rising cultivation costs.
At a press conference on Wednesday, he said the provincial government planned to purchase between 0.8 and 1.2 million tonnes of wheat in the 2025-2026 harvest season. Under the new package, small farmers will receive one bag of DAP and two bags of urea per hectares at subsidized prices.
The CM said the initiative aims to ensure timely fertilizer supply, promote transparent procurement of wheat and guarantee prompt payments to growers to sustain their interest in cultivation and enhance food security.
Shah said the government was committed to fair compensation to farmers and stressed that the support price protects them from exploitative middlemen and market fluctuations.
Read more: Farmers get Rs 3,500. per land, as the government approves wheat policy 2025-26
He added that although the province initially recommended Rs 4,000. per 40 kg, the Sindh government accepted the federally approved rate of Rs 3,500. to provide immediate relief to the growers.
He credited PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s efforts in helping the province secure federal approval despite IMF restrictions, calling it “a success that underscores the strength of coordinated negotiations within fiscal constraints.”
The Chief Minister further announced that the proposed tripling of agricultural income tax had been postponed, with the previous 15 percent rate restored. He said this decision was based on the “genuine financial pressures” small farmers face.
Highlighting last year’s results, Shah said the 2023-2024 wheat procurement helped stabilize the market, prevent flour shortages and reduce costly imports.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to balanced agricultural development and economic stability, noting that the food and agriculture departments were working closely together to achieve these goals.
Law and order, Afghan repatriation policy
Responding to a question on security, Shah said the government was focused on maintaining law and order in both urban and rural areas, addressing two key challenges: dacoit activity in the interior and street crime in cities.
He said police modernization, better training and improved coordination were underway to strengthen the force’s capabilities.
Regarding the federal government’s decision on Afghan repatriation, the CM said there was now “national consensus” that all Afghan refugees must return home. The Sindh government, he assured, would fully implement the federal policy to ensure an orderly and legal process.
Shah also directed the Sindh chief secretary to coordinate with his Punjab counterpart on the inter-provincial movement of certified seeds and directed health and municipal authorities to intensify anti-dengue fumigation campaigns across the province.
