The government’s target of cultivating wheat on 80,000 acres in Mirpurkhas district could not be achieved, as only 68,500 acres were cultivated. The harvested wheat is now ready to enter the market, and in some areas, the cutting process has already begun.

According to a PPI report today, the official wheat price has not been set, nor has the procurement target been announced. Additionally, the distribution of gunny bags (bardana) has not started, creating an opportunity for private traders to take advantage. Wheat traders from different provinces are purchasing wheat at Rs3,000 per 40 kg, leaving farmers worried.

The government warehouses in Mirpurkhas currently have a surplus stock of 350,000 wheat bags, yet no wheat has been supplied to flour mills or chakkis (small-scale grinding mills) this year.

Due to water shortages, climate changes, and last year’s low prices, farmers planted less wheat this season, leading to lower production. With no official government wheat procurement and large traders hoarding stock, a wheat and flour crisis is feared.

Chairman of the Farmers Organization Council Sindh, Javed Junejo, and Sindh Abadgar Board’s district president, Muhammad Umar, have urged the government to immediately open wheat procurement centers, set official wheat prices, and provide gunny bags to farmers.

They warned that if private traders purchase all available wheat, it could lead to an artificial shortage in the market, escalating wheat and flour prices.