ISLAMABAD, Oct 20 (APP) – The federal government has approved the National Wheat Policy 2025-26, setting the official wheat procurement price at Rs 3,500 per maund. The decision aims to ensure fair returns for farmers and maintain stable national wheat reserves.
National Wheat Policy 2025-26 to ensure farmer welfare and food security
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chaired a high-level meeting that approved the new policy. The session was attended by the chief ministers of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Gilgit-Baltistan, as well as representatives from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Senior officials and agricultural stakeholders were also present.
The prime minister said the government’s top priority was to protect farmers’ interests while ensuring food security across Pakistan. Wheat, he added, is not only the staple food of the people but also a major source of income for millions of farmers.
“The government is fully aware of the challenges faced by the farming community and is taking every possible measure to support them,” he said.
He added that as Pakistan’s economy relies heavily on agriculture, a strong wheat sector was essential for sustainable growth. The National Wheat Policy 2025-26 was drafted after extensive consultations with provincial governments, farmer organizations, and industry representatives.
Procurement and supply framework under the policy
Under the new framework, the federal and provincial governments will jointly procure 6.2 million tonnes of wheat during the 2025-26 harvest. The procurement price of Rs 3,500 per maund aligns with the international wheat import parity rate, helping Pakistani farmers remain competitive both locally and globally.
Officials briefed the meeting that the procurement plan ensures fair profits for growers while maintaining market balance. In addition, the new wheat policy removes all restrictions on inter-provincial wheat movement to allow uninterrupted supply across Pakistan.
This step, according to officials, will help stabilize prices, encourage private-sector participation, and strengthen the national food supply chain.
National monitoring and coordination
To ensure effective implementation, the government has formed a National Wheat Monitoring Committee headed by the Federal Minister for National Food Security. The committee will include representatives from all provinces, meet weekly, and report directly to the Prime Minister.
The monitoring body will oversee procurement, maintain strategic reserves, and review policy performance on a regular basis.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appreciated the cooperation of provincial governments in developing a consensus-based approach. He expressed confidence that the National Wheat Policy 2025-26 would boost productivity, enhance farmers’ income, and reinforce national food security.