Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announces farmer-focused policy to ensure fair pricing, strengthen food security, and maintain strategic wheat reserves across Pakistan.
ISLAMABAD: The federal government has approved the National Wheat Policy 2025-26, setting the wheat procurement price at Rs 3,500 per maund to safeguard farmers’ interests and ensure stable national reserves.
The policy — a result of extensive consultations with provincial governments, farmers’ associations, and agricultural stakeholders — aims to protect farmers’ income, promote sustainable agriculture, and maintain a steady supply of strategic wheat reserves.
A high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif approved the policy, attended by the chief ministers of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, the representative of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of wheat as both Pakistan’s staple food and the primary source of income for millions of farmers, reaffirming the government’s commitment to agricultural growth.
“Farmers are the backbone of Pakistan’s economy,” said Shehbaz Sharif. “The government is fully aware of their challenges and is taking all possible measures for their welfare and prosperity.”
He added that the new policy reflects the government’s goal of ensuring fair profits for farmers while protecting public interest, describing it as a “consensus-based and forward-looking initiative.”
Under the National Wheat Policy 2025-26, the federal and provincial governments will procure approximately 6.2 million tonnes of wheat from the upcoming crop. The procurement price has been set in line with international wheat import benchmarks, ensuring both farmer profitability and market stability.
The meeting was informed that inter-provincial wheat movement will remain unrestricted, guaranteeing smooth distribution across Pakistan and preventing regional shortages.
To ensure transparency and coordination, a National Wheat Monitoring Committee will be established under the chairmanship of the Federal Minister for National Food Security, with representation from all provinces. The committee will meet weekly and report directly to the Prime Minister, monitoring policy implementation and market trends. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif lauded the cooperation of provincial governments in formulating the policy, expressing confidence that it would strengthen food security, boost rural livelihoods, and drive long-term agricultural development in Pakistan.
