LAHORE: In a significant move to address the financial struggles of wheat growers, the Punjab government on Wednesday launched the Maryam Nawaz Wheat Farmer Scheme, a Rs15 billion relief package. This initiative comes after weeks of protests by farmers who have been severely impacted by plummeting wheat prices during the harvest season.
Major Features of the Maryam Nawaz Wheat Farmer Scheme
Direct Financial Relief
Under the Maryam Nawaz Wheat Farmer Scheme, 550,000 wheat growers will receive direct financial aid through the Kisan Card system.
Tax and Irrigation Relief
As part of the Maryam Nawaz Wheat Farmer Scheme, wheat cultivators will be exempted from paying fixed taxes and irrigation fees for the current year.
Free Storage Facility (EWR System)
Farmers can now store their wheat for up to four months free of charge under the Electronic Warehouse Receipt (EWR) scheme, a key component of this scheme. This system offers multiple benefits:
- Protects crops from damage due to weather fluctuations.
- Shields farmers from sudden market price drops.
- Provides electronic receipts within 24 hours, enabling farmers to secure bank loans covering up to 70% of their wheat’s value.
Support for Flour Mills & Traders
To stabilize the wheat supply chain, the Punjab Wheat Farmer Scheme includes:
- Subsidized loans (up to Rs100 billion) for flour mills and green license holders to purchase wheat.
- A proposed mandatory procurement rule, requiring mills to buy 25% of their storage capacity (pending cabinet approval).
Wheat Export & Storage Expansion
Further measures under the scheme include:
- Punjab will push the federal government to allow wheat and wheat product exports.
- A Rs5 billion markup subsidy to encourage private sector investment in warehouse development.
- The removal of inter-district and inter-provincial restrictions on wheat and flour transportation.
Government’s Stance
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz assured farmers that theWheat Farmer Scheme would prevent losses, criticizing last year’s wheat import policy by the caretaker government for crashing local prices.
“We will not allow our farmers to suffer,” she declared.
Farmers’ Reactions: Mixed to Negative
Despite the relief package, farmer organizations have rejected it, calling it insufficient and biased toward large landowners:
- Farooq Tariq (Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee):
“This package benefits feudal lords, not small farmers. We demand a guaranteed Rs4,000 per maund price.” - Khalid Hussain Baath (Farmers Itehad):
“The EWR system exploits small farmers who lack storage access. This Rs5 billion subsidy is just another handout to capitalists.”
Critics argue that the policy fails to set a minimum wheat price, leaving farmers vulnerable to market manipulation and exploitation.
The success of the Wheat Farmer Scheme will depend on its implementation and whether it addresses the concerns of small-scale farmers.
