Agricultural Hardships in Pakistan Trigger Farmers’ Protests

Farmers in Pakistan, particularly in Sindh province, have been protesting for months due to the government’s reduced wheat procurement quota. Allegations of corruption have exacerbated the situation, with officials reportedly selling wheat bags meant for farmers to traders, forcing farmers to sell at lower rates. This mismanagement threatens crop yields and exacerbates food insecurity.
The agricultural sector has been in crisis for two years, worsened by massive floods and the collapse of a barrage, which rendered large areas of land uncultivable and led to mass migration. Pakistan’s position on the Global Hunger Index has deteriorated, and rising inflation has further eroded the purchasing power of vulnerable households.
The caretaker government’s decision to import wheat to combat food inflation has led to an oversupply, causing wheat prices to plummet and sparking protests from farmers who expected better returns after years of hardship. While the country is a major wheat producer, its productivity is hampered by climate change and poor agricultural policies.
Experts suggest adopting precision agriculture and high-yielding seeds as long-term solutions, but farmers currently lack sufficient support. The government’s mismanagement, coupled with climate change, continues to challenge Pakistan’s food security and social stability.