Allah Nawaz Khan
Wheat is Pakistan’s most important crop, fulfilling the country’s basic food needs. The largest quantity of wheat is grown in Punjab. However, wheat cultivation has declined significantly in recent times, even though this crop requires special attention.
Farmers are reluctant to grow wheat because its cultivation involves heavy investment, yet they are forced to sell it at a loss. No one wants to incur losses. Wheat-related problems are increasing rapidly. If these issues are not addressed, the country will suffer huge losses in the future.
If wheat production decreases, the available wheat in the market will have to be bought at much higher prices. Since flour is made from wheat, expensive flour will make it extremely difficult for ordinary Pakistanis to buy flour.
Pakistani farmers are facing numerous challenges. In 2025-26, the area under wheat cultivation has shrunk to just 9.1 million hectares, compared to 10.37 million hectares last year. An 11.8 percent decline in production is expected this year. The land previously used for wheat is now being shifted to other crops.
Housing societies are also badly affecting farmland. Green fields are being converted into housing colonies for huge profits. Some areas are rain-fed (barani), where production depends entirely on rainfall. Climate change is further impacting crops — excessive rains in some places and severe shortages in others. Untimely rains have caused heavy damage to standing crops. Hailstorms in certain areas have also inflicted massive losses. Floods have destroyed not only the crops but also the land suitable for wheat cultivation. In 2025, floods destroyed up to 30 percent of wheat stocks.
Farmers are now hesitant to sow wheat again because of the heavy losses they suffered last year. This year, the government has fixed the wheat support price at Rs 3,500 per maund. However, farmers’ production costs have risen sharply. Last year, they suffered huge losses. The farmers’ grievances are justified because they bear heavy expenses and put in hard physical labour.
Farmers whose land is near rivers or canals get relatively cheap water. But those who rely on tube-wells face very expensive water due to high electricity prices. In addition to water, fertilizers have become costly, and quality seeds are extremely expensive. Preparing the land for wheat is also a very expensive process.
Rising diesel prices are affecting wheat cultivation because tractors are used for ploughing, and farmers have to pay more per hour. Crop care is essential too. Diseases frequently attack the crops, and weeds must be removed. Pesticides for diseases and weeds have also become very expensive, directly impacting farmers.
Moreover, transporting the harvest from the field to home or market adds further costs, which farmers have no choice but to bear. The threat of sudden natural disasters always looms — sometimes heavy rains cause the crop to lodge (fall over), and lodged crops fail to produce proper grains.
The decline in wheat cultivation is a deeply unfortunate situation. The government must pay immediate attention so that this crisis can be tackled effectively.
Water is extremely important for any crop. Therefore, farmers should be provided subsidies on water. A special package is needed for tube-well users so that they can also benefit. Availability of quality seeds is essential because, despite heavy spending, yields are sometimes low. Good seeds are necessary for a better harvest.
Fertilizer prices should also be reduced, and the machinery used in fields should be made cheaper and more modern so that farmers can get maximum benefit. Pesticides used in sprays must also be made affordable; otherwise, the desired results will not be achieved.
Some land is cultivable but remains uncultivated. The government should either compel the owners to grow wheat on it or hand it over to other farmers so that crops can be sown there. The government should help farmers rehabilitate land damaged by floods or rains and make it cultivable again.
The government is providing subsidies in some schemes, but it is important to ensure that the assistance reaches the rightful beneficiaries. Small farmers with limited land often remain deprived of these subsidies. Sometimes, tenant farmers (who cultivate on lease) do not get subsidies because they go to the actual landowners. Subsidies should be given directly to the tenant farmers who actually cultivate the land.
Pakistan is an agricultural country, yet it often faces shortages of flour, which is extremely regrettable. If more wheat is grown, it can be exported to earn substantial foreign exchange.
It is essential to make farmers prosperous so they can grow more wheat. Farmers must also be introduced to modern agricultural research so they can produce maximum yields.
The government is already supporting farmers — for example, many are benefiting from the Kisan Card. Interest-free or collateral-free loans are also being provided, which is helpful. However, much more support is needed.
If the cost of wheat production decreases, farmers will sell wheat at lower prices, which will ultimately benefit the common people. Therefore, it is necessary to provide subsidies on all inputs required for wheat cultivation.
The writer can be reached at allahnawazk012@gmail.com
