PM Shehbaz proposes Rs4,500 per maund wheat price for 2027

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has set the proposed wheat price for 2027 at Rs4,500 per maund. He took the decision to promote the country’s agriculture sector, protect the economic interests of farmers and increase wheat production next year.

According to the prime minister, the main aim of the decision is to give farmers relief from rising production costs, higher prices of petroleum products and inflationary pressure, to offer effective incentives for wheat cultivation and to stabilise the country’s agricultural economy.

The consultation for the decision was held under the guidance of President Asif Ali Zardari and Quaid Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. It also included the advice and cooperation of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah.

Shehbaz Sharif particularly thanked Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for presenting valuable proposals and for her cooperation in the consultation, and praised her role. He also expressed gratitude to the Sindh chief minister for his cooperation.

Incentive for farmers

The prime minister expressed the hope that the increase in the proposed wheat price would help growers cover their production costs and earn a reasonable profit. Encouraging farmers to grow wheat is among the government’s key objectives, so that the maximum area can be sown with wheat next season and the country’s production can rise.

The prime minister pointed out that farmers have faced financial difficulties in recent years because of inflation and higher agricultural costs. Pakistan also had to import wheat during the past two years. In such circumstances, the increase in the proposed wheat price could prove an important step towards encouraging local production and improving the country’s ability to meet its food needs.

The government expects that the new proposed price will make growers more interested in cultivating wheat. This would improve the prospects of an increase in the area under cultivation and in total production next season. The step is being described as an important part of efforts for the economic betterment of farmers, stability in the agriculture sector and food security.

Shehbaz Sharif said that an increase in local wheat production would not only help protect the economic interests of farmers but would also strengthen efforts to make the country more self-sufficient in food. The government expects that the positive effects of the decision will be seen in 2027 in the form of better agriculture, wheat availability and prosperity for farmers.

It should be noted that the price of Rs4,500 per maund has been described for now as a proposed or indicative price. Therefore, the relevant official announcement and procedure must be confirmed before it is treated as a finally enforced official procurement price.