By: Ahmed Shamsur Rehman / ANI
ISLAMABAD — The National Assembly Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research has recommended fixing the minimum wheat support price at Rs. 5,000 per 40 kg or above and called for a uniform subsidy mechanism for farmers across the country.
The recommendation was made during the committee’s 31st meeting at Parliament House, chaired by Syed Tariq Hussain, MNA. The committee stressed that the National Wheat Policy 2026–2030 should be finalized and announced before the wheat sowing season.
Members expressed concern over rising input costs, expensive fertilizers, inadequate mechanization, poor-quality seeds, limited agricultural research, storage problems and weak export performance.
The Minister for National Food Security and Research briefed the committee on the proposed wheat policy and subsidy models, saying consultations with provincial governments would be held within a week and the policy announced before sowing.
The committee called for an easy and uniform subsidy programme, noting different provincial approaches, including Punjab’s proposed Kissan Card support, Sindh’s assistance to farmers owning up to 25 acres and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s proposed in-kind subsidy of Rs. 5,000.
Members also raised concerns over wheat storage and marketing following the closure of PASSCO and urged measures to reduce production costs and ensure timely availability of agricultural inputs.
The committee also discussed rice exports, calling for efforts to expand international markets and improve the competitiveness of Pakistani agricultural products. It further called for action against hoarders involved in artificial price increases of fertilizers.
The meeting also considered the Seed (Amendment) Bill, 2026, but deferred its consideration until the next meeting. The committee directed NSDRA to brief it on progress since 2024 and submit the required rules and regulations.
