Pakistan, a nation where agriculture remains a cornerstone of both its economy and daily life, is currently facing a profound crisis. Despite its capacity to produce an abundance of grains, successive governments have consistently faltered in managing the critical processes of crop procurement and storage, leading to significant national inefficiencies. The paradox is stark: while Pakistan’s fields yield enough to feed its population and even export to others, structural failures in the agricultural sector, from hoarding and smuggling to erratic weather patterns, prevent the country from reaping the benefits of this bounty. The country’s farmers, who toil in challenging conditions, find themselves increasingly frustrated as their hard work goes unrewarded. They face low compensation for their produce, which rarely covers the rising costs of production—an imbalance that undermines not only their livelihoods but also the broader agricultural infrastructure that the nation relies on.
At the heart of this crisis is the issue of wheat, Pakistan’s staple crop. Falling wheat prices have raised alarm bells across the agricultural sector, with farmers now expressing doubts about planting wheat in the upcoming Rabi season. This concern is not unwarranted, as the rising costs of fertilizers, water, diesel, electricity, seeds, and transportation over the past few years have severely strained farmers’ finances. These increased costs have led to widespread protests, with farmers demanding that the government uphold its promise of fair wheat prices, which has largely gone unmet. Without assurance of a fair return for their labor and investment, many farmers are understandably reluctant to continue planting, which threatens the food security of the entire country.
The situation at the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Supplies Corporation (PASSCO) compounds the problem. PASSCO is tasked with stabilizing wheat prices by maintaining sufficient reserves to ensure a steady supply and prevent price volatility. However, during the tenure of the caretaker government, despite a sufficient domestic supply of wheat, the private sector was allowed to import millions of tons of wheat at unnecessary costs. This decision has resulted in a staggering loss to the national exchequer, estimated to be at least 300 billion rupees. While Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formed a committee to investigate the matter, no substantive action has been taken, and no report has been released. Additionally, the Senate’s standing committee, led by Senator Aimal Wali Khan, has also launched a probe into the matter, but with little indication that accountability will follow.
This lack of transparency and accountability is a recurring theme in Pakistan’s agricultural management. Scandals such as this have surfaced over the decades, yet the individuals responsible for such mismanagement rarely face consequences. This systemic failure has not only harmed farmers and their ability to sustain themselves, but it has also put Pakistan’s food security at risk. Pakistan’s dependence on both global market fluctuations and the decisions of politically driven governance only makes its food security more precarious. Each misstep in agricultural policy erodes the country’s capacity to secure its own food supply, forcing it into a cycle of dependence on imports and international markets, both of which are vulnerable to price volatility.
The continued failure to address the fundamental issues of procurement, storage, and price stabilization in the agricultural sector has far-reaching consequences. Farmers, the backbone of Pakistan’s agricultural economy, are increasingly disillusioned. Without a fair and predictable system in place, they are left with few incentives to invest in their farms, which could lead to decreased wheat production in the years ahead. This would exacerbate food insecurity, pushing Pakistan deeper into a crisis of its own making.
The solution to this problem is not simply an issue of raising prices or providing temporary relief. It requires a complete overhaul of Pakistan’s agricultural management system, with an emphasis on transparency, accountability, and long-term planning. A transparent system of procurement, coupled with the proper storage of grain, can prevent the wasteful losses that have plagued the country. The government must take immediate action to ensure that farmers receive fair compensation for their hard work, particularly in light of the rising costs of production. Importantly, there must be a clear, enforceable commitment to prevent the kind of unnecessary imports that deplete national resources and undermine domestic agriculture.
The agricultural sector in Pakistan cannot afford to be a playground for political manipulation or short-sighted policies. Urgent reforms are needed to create a system that serves both the farmers who feed the nation and the citizens who rely on those crops for their daily sustenance. Without these reforms, Pakistan will continue to face an uncertain food future, where both farmers and consumers bear the brunt of inefficiency and mismanagement. The time for urgent change in agricultural policy is now, before the country finds itself at the mercy of external forces or caught in the grip of an avoidable food crisis.
