The Kissan Board Pakistan (KBP) has demanded that federal and provincial governments allocate at least 10% of their total budgets to the agriculture sector to boost production, lower input costs, and ease the national deficit.
Addressing a press conference on Sunday, KBP Central President Sardar Zafar Hussain Khan highlighted the sharp disconnect between agriculture’s economic contribution and its current fiscal priority. He noted that while agriculture generates roughly 22% of Pakistan’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and supports nearly 60% of the population’s livelihood, it receives a mere 2% to 3% share in federal and provincial allocations.
“Why is the country’s economy being used as a laboratory?” Mr. Khan asked, criticizing policies that tax the general public while providing relief to elite interests.
Core Demands & Support Prices
To protect farmers against rising production expenses and mafia manipulation, the board announced key minimum support price demands:
- Wheat: $Rs5,000$ per 40 kg
- Sugarcane: $Rs700$ per 40 kg
Drawing comparisons with regional policies, Mr. Khan cited India’s move to fix support prices for 22 crops over a two-year horizon, arguing that cartels in Pakistan continue to block fair returns for local farmers.
Key Operational & Economic Grievances
The Kissan Board president raised several critical issues currently impacting the agricultural economy:
| Issue | Impact & Details |
| Border Closures | Stated that the Pak-Afghan border closure has failed to curb terrorism while inflicting billions of dollars in losses on farmers on both sides. |
| Input Restrictions | Highlighted strict supply limitations on essential urea fertilizers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. |
| Utility Costs | Alleged widespread overbilling by WAPDA, eroding profit margins for smallholders. |
| Horticulture Losses | Pointed to declining profitability in citrus and major fruit orchards across the country. |
Mr. Khan described these combined pressures as a orchestrated pattern aimed at creating artificial food shortages and driving up inflation.
Agitation Plan & Protest Schedule
Warning of severe resistance if government authorities fail to act immediately, the board outlined a phased mobilization plan:
- Nationwide Tours: Board leaders will launch rapid district-level tours to rally rural support.
- Nov 5 Protest: A nationwide day of protest will be observed across all provinces.
- Long March & Roadblocks: The board pledged to join Jamaat-i-Islami’s long march with a 200-vehicle convoy, with plans to block major arterial routes including Lahore’s Mall Road and key avenues in Islamabad.
