Sindh announces major relief for farmers

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has announced major relief measures for small farmers announcing the abolition of five bags per acre limits and said, registered small growers can now sell wheat to the government without quantity restrictions. The chief minister made this announcement at a high-level meeting which was attended by Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, Food Minister Makhdoom Mehboob Zaman, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, and other senior officials. The meeting was held to review the ongoing 2026 wheat procurement campaign. Officials briefed that the wheat procurement drive, launched on April 1, has a target of one million tons, with a support price set at Rs3,500 per 40kg. The programme covers over 332,000 farmers cultivating approximately 1.94 million acres across the province. Food Minister informed the meeting that only 8,958 tons of wheat have been procured so far against a target of 973,900 tons, attributing the shortfall largely to the earlier restriction on small farmers. Taking notice, Murad ordered immediate removal of the limit, directing the food department to accelerate procurement, ensure prompt payments, and strengthen field-level engagement with farmers. The meeting was informed that payments to farmers have improved significantly, with funds now being transferred within one day through designated bank. So far, Rs198.3 million has been disbursed, the meeting was informed. The chief minister emphasised that timely payments are crucial for building farmers' trust and instructed authorities to encourage growers to bring their wheat to official procurement centres. He added that farmers selling their produce to the government will remain eligible for future subsidies and support programmes. To improve efficiency, the government has established a complaint room, activated monitoring by assistant commissioners and revenue officers, and opened 12 additional procurement centres. Strict oversight has been ordered to ensure transparency and eliminate corruption, with a zero-tolerance policy for irregularities. Murad reaffirmed that the wheat procurement campaign is vital for supporting farmers and ensuring food security in the province, stating that farmers remain the backbone of the economy and will continue to receive fair prices, timely payments, and effective policy support.