THE Kissan Ittehad has warned of a protest march on Islamabad if the wheat support price is not increased and the Punjab government does not reduce input costs. Some of the concerns raised by the Kissan Ittehad are not without merit. Agriculture is the backbone of our economy, contributing a substantial portion to GDP and providing livelihood to a majority of the population. However, the rising input costs of farming, such as fertilizers, pesticides, fuel, etc have made it increasingly difficult for farmers to sustain their livelihoods. Farmers are struggling with lower returns on their products while facing inflationary pressures that increase their cost of production. These concerns should be addressed by the government, as they reflect genuine grievances that need urgent intervention.
As regards support price, the farmers must also recognize that the price of agricultural products is increasingly determined by market sentiments and global commodity trends. In fact there was also time when farmers sold their wheat at prices higher than the then-announced support price due to favourable market conditions. This shows that market dynamics can sometimes work in favour of farmers and it is essential for them to adapt to these changing conditions. Under an agreement with the IMF, the government cannot determine the support price now. Nevertheless, the demand to reduce input costs is a legitimate one. The government must do more to ease the financial burden on farmers by reducing the cost of essential agricultural inputs. By lowering these costs, farmers will be able to produce agricultural products at a more competitive price, which can, in turn, lead to better market prices for their goods. The prosperity of farmers is intrinsically linked to the prosperity of the nation. When farmers are financially stable, they can contribute more effectively to the economy which leads to a ripple effect in other sectors. The government must sit with the representatives of farmers and address their concerns. There is a need for a more comprehensive approach that addresses both the short-term and long-term needs of the agricultural community.
