By Commerce Reporter
LAHORE – President of Pakistan Kisan Ittehad, Khalid Khokhar, has sounded the alarm over the collapse of Pakistan’s agriculture sector, warning that farmers are being pushed to the brink of destruction due to government negligence and flawed policies.
Speaking in Lahore, Khalid Khokhar revealed that agricultural growth has turned negative, with wheat, maize, cotton, and potato farmers facing massive financial losses.
“Two years ago, when farmers were given fair wheat prices, agriculture improved. But this year, wheat growers were denied the right price, and now the sector is in ruins,” he lamented.
Highlighting the crisis, Khokhar said:
• Wheat cultivation has suffered losses of Rs. 2,200 billion.
• Maize cultivation has declined by 40 percent due to low market rates.
• Cotton, once called “white gold,” is being destroyed, with an 18% tax imposed on its cultivation despite being a major export crop.
• Farmers are unable to afford fertilizers as they are stripped of basic earnings.
He strongly criticized the spread of sugar mills from Pattoki to Rahim Yar Khan, claiming they are depleting underground water and worsening the crisis.
“Sugarcane drains both water and soil nutrients, yet its farmers are also denied fair rates. Cotton is dying, maize is falling, and the farmer has been crushed. Is the farmer not human?” Khokhar asked emotionally.
The Kisan Ittehad chief demanded the government establish a Price Commission for agriculture, stressing that food security must take priority over border security.
“Across the world, food security is never politicized. Sadly, in Pakistan, agriculture has been destroyed due to ill intentions and political games,” he said, urging immediate reforms to protect farmers and ensure the country’s survival.
