Various farmers’ associations have voiced strong disappointment over the Punjab Budget 2025–26, arguing that the government’s emphasis on loans and subsidies ignores the fundamental issue plaguing the agriculture sector: the absence of fair crop pricing.
Abad ur Rehman, Director of the Farmers Associate of Pakistan (FAP), warned that loan disbursements would only burden farmers if they are unable to sell their crops at profitable rates. “Loans without fair prices simply become debt traps,” he stated.
Khalid Hussain Bath, President of Kissan Ittehad Pakistan (KIP), echoed these concerns, asserting that real support lies in enabling access to profitable markets—both domestic and international. “We don’t need loans; we need fair crop prices,” Bath stressed.
Farmers argue that while subsidies on tractors, solar panels, and machinery are welcome, they are not a substitute for meaningful market reform. Without profitability, these measures remain cosmetic.
Abad ur Rehman highlighted that farmers lost over Rs. 2,000 billion in wheat alone over the past two years, with similar losses in maize due to climate volatility and unstable pricing. Despite this, the budget neglects marketing reforms and price stabilization—while hinting at agricultural income tax, further alienating the sector.
The allocation of Rs. 80 billion for agriculture compared to Rs. 150 billion for electric buses was cited as evidence of misplaced priorities. “It’s a clear signal: agriculture is not on the government’s radar,” Rehman said.
The much-promoted ‘Electronic Warehouse Receipt’ initiative also drew criticism for lacking policy clarity or implementation.
Unless the government shifts its focus to improving price mechanisms, ensuring profitability, and facilitating global market access, farmers warn that the agriculture sector will remain in crisis—regardless of any subsidies or loan schemes.
