Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif announced the immediate start of wheat procurement at a price of Rs3,500 per maund [1].
The move aims to stabilize wheat prices and ensure a steady supply of the grain within the province. By providing a guaranteed price, the government seeks to protect registered farmers from market volatility and encourage local production.
As part of the support package, the provincial government will provide free gunny bags to farmers [1]. These bags are valued at Rs6 billion [1]. The initiative is designed to reduce the overhead costs for agricultural producers during the harvest and collection phase.
Officials said the procurement process is effective immediately. The strategy focuses on supporting registered farmers to ensure that the procurement targets are met efficiently across the Punjab province.
Wheat remains a critical crop for Pakistan's food security. The government's intervention in the pricing and logistics of the harvest is a primary tool for managing inflation and preventing shortages in the domestic market [1].
“Punjab will procure wheat at Rs3,500 per maund”
This procurement strategy reflects the Punjab government's effort to maintain agricultural stability through direct subsidies and price floors. By absorbing the cost of packaging via the Rs6 billion gunny bag initiative, the administration is attempting to lower the barrier to entry for small-scale registered farmers to sell to the state rather than private middlemen.
