LAHORE: Accusing the government of enforcing ‘anti-farmer’ policies and leaving crop prices to market uncertainty, the Pakistan Kisan Rabita Committee (PKRC), a federation of 36 farmer bodies, on Tuesday announced nationwide protest demonstrations on Oct 18, demanding an immediate fixing of the support price for wheat at Rs5,000 per maund and sugarcane at Rs700 per 40kg.
The announcement was made following a meeting of the PKRC member organisations, including the Anjuman Mazareen Punjab, Kisan Karkela KP, Pakistan Kisan Ittehad, Sindh Hari Committee, Hari Jeddojuhd Committee, Hari Poryat Committee, and Awami Tehreek.
Addressing the media, the PKRC leaders voiced deep concern over sky-rocketing production costs and the government’s decision to let private companies procure wheat.
“A farmer spends heavily on seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, and diesel, guarding the crop day and night. Yet, when the crop is ready, they are forced to run from pillar to post just to get a fair price,” lamented PKRC President Tariq Mahmood.
Echoing his concerns, PKRC General Secretary Riffat Maqsood questioned the sustainability of the agricultural sector under current conditions.
PKRC central leader Farooq Tariq emphasised that agricultural policies formed in closed rooms without consulting actual farm workers would fail to ensure national food security. He urged the government to announce support prices prior to sowing so growers could make informed production decisions.
In a comprehensive list of demands issued by PKRC Information Secretary Hasnain Jameel Faridi, the committee urged the government to negotiate immediately rather than waiting for the Oct 18 demonstrations.
Outlining their core charter, the alliance called for fixing the minimum support price of wheat at Rs5,000 per maund and sugarcane at Rs700 per 40kg, insisting that wheat rates be announced well before sowing begins. They demanded the complete abolition of the private procurement system for wheat and the immediate restoration of official state purchasing through Passco and provincial food departments to guarantee the purchase of every single grain.
The committee pressed for subsidised and affordable supply of essential inputs. They further demanded strict state oversight to mandate sugar mills to ensure full and timely payments to sugarcane growers.
The committee also called for easy-term agricultural credit facilities for small and medium farmers and urged the government to formally include genuine farm representatives and trade unions in all future agricultural policy-making processes.
Published in Dawn, October 7th, 2026
