Punjab government halts wheat purchase from farmers

LAHORE: The Punjab government announced its decision to not purchase wheat from farmers next year, citing an excess stock of the commodity on Sunday.

According to sources, with a current stockpile lasting for a year, the move is expected to result in significant cost savings. The government stated this will help to allocate funds towards providing essential support to farmers through initiatives such as the Kissan Card programme.

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The Punjab government currently holds approximately 2.27 million tonnes of wheat. Reports indicate that 95 per cent of the province’s farmers have already sold their wheat to third parties. The decision not to purchase additional wheat aims to streamline the distribution process and reduce dependency on intermediaries.

The Punjab government had earlier announced a reduction in roti prices to Rs15 from Rs16 following negotiations with the Naan Bai Association. The decision took effect immediately. It aimed to address concerns over abundant wheat supply and declining flour prices.

The government mandated that all shops prominently display roti prices. The province’s chief minister proposed reducing roti prices to Rs16 province-wide via social media platform X. Initially, the Naan Bai Association stiffly opposed the decision. However, they eventually accepted it.

Read more: Naanbais to go on strike next week against low naan, roti prices

The Punjab government had previously established a purchase rate of Rs3,900 rupees per maund (equal to 37 kg) for wheat acquisition. The government stated its “commitment” to effectively manage provincial resources and support agricultural communities.