THE Sindh government’s decision to raise wheat support price would benefit big landlords more than the small growers. Unlike these big landlords, small growers cannot sell wheat directly to the government and they are obliged to sell their stock to the middleman and brokers at 10 to 15pc less than the government rate throughout the season.

Besides, the middleman deducts two to three kgs of wheat as equivalent to the weight of one bag and thereby further decreases the cost by five per cent.

As long as the Sindh government does not devise a mechanism to check the highhandedness of the middleman, agents and brokers; and fix their commission within an acceptable range, the support price will not benefit small growers and poor farmers who are already living hand to mouth.

Engr. Moazzam Ali Sahito
Karachi