ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly’s standing committee on national food security and research sought the intervention of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for resolution of potato crop crisis and requesting the government to intervene and take measures to stabilise prices.

At its meeting in Islamabad on Thursday, the committee, led by Syed Tariq Hussain, unanimously recommended that a letter be sent to the prime minister requesting a meeting in the coming week to apprise him of the severity of the potato crop crisis and present solutions for timely and effective action.

The committee discussed low market prices of potato, high production costs, export constraints, subsidy support, and strategic measures required to protect farmers, stabilise the market, and safeguard the economic rights and interests of potato growers.

During the debate, several members urged the government to intervene in the market and purchase potato crop directly from farmers at fair prices to protect farmers’ income, stabilise the market, and prevent further financial distress.

Urges govt to buy commodity from farmers to stabilise market

An official of the Department of Plant Protection informed the committee that as compared to the previous year, overall potato exports have gone up, noting that higher potato production this year is the result of favourable weather conditions.

The ministry of commerce, while responding to a request from the Punjab government, informed the committee that export-related issues had been taken up with relevant authorities.

Recognising the urgency and complexity of the matter, the committee directed the ministry of national food security and research to convene a joint meeting with the commerce ministry, ministry of foreign affairs, agriculture department of Punjab government, National Logistics Cell (NLC), potato growers’ society, and other relevant stakeholders and report back to the committee by February 2.

Rao Muhammad Ajmal Khan, Special Invitee, briefed the committee on the actual cost of production and selling price of potatoes, highlighting the reasons for the recent decline in prices. He also explained the challenges affecting exports, including transport difficulties, storage limitations, visa issues, problems with phytosanitary certificates, and associated delays.

The committee discussed the government’s future policy on the deregulation of the sugarcane industry, with emphasis on safeguarding the interests of sugarcane growers, ensuring ti­­mely procurement and crushing of sugarca­­ne, and facilitating prompt payment to farmers.

The ministry of industries and production briefed the committee on actions taken so far, including meetings held, committee membership, consensus on deregulation, correspondence with provincial governments, instances of inaction, reminders issued, and enforcement measures taken against sugar mills to ensure compliance and protect growers’ interests.

The committee recommended that the ministry of national food security and research adopt a proactive and forward-looking appr­oach rather than responding only after issues arise.

The ministry should prioritise resolving problems affecting crops currently under stress while simultaneously planning and preparing for upcoming crop cycles with clear vision, strategic foresight, and well-defined measures to ensure crop stability, farmer protection, and national food security.

Published in Dawn, January 30th, 2026