Karachi, September 26, 2025 — The Sindh government has launched a landmark initiative aimed at providing immediate relief to small-scale wheat farmers, with the Agriculture Minister, Sardar Muhammad Bux Mahar, describing it as a “historic policy.” The Wheat Growers Support Policy allocates Rs58 billion to assist farmers owning between one and 25 acres of land across the province.
Under the program, around 411,000 farmers are set to receive subsidized fertilizers and urea to cultivate over 2.26 million acres of wheat. Each participating farmer will be entitled to Rs24,700 worth of inputs per acre. Registrations will be carried out using the Benazir Hari Card database, CNIC records, and land revenue documentation, while committees at the provincial, district, and local levels have been tasked with monitoring the process.
Mahar outlined that the distribution of DAP fertilizer will be completed by November 2025, with additional urea bags provided after January 20, 2026, following verification of cultivation. To ensure smooth implementation, agricultural officers’ leaves have been canceled for 90 days, and offices will remain operational on Saturdays.
He emphasized that the steps were taken under the directives of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and highlighted Sindh as the only province providing consistent subsidies to farmers despite IMF-imposed restrictions.
Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon noted that the policy would bring relief not only to farmers but also to laborers and lower-income groups. He recalled that under President Asif Ali Zardari in 2008, Pakistan had become a wheat exporter by implementing farmer-focused policies. Memon further stressed that supporting local farmers is crucial for national food security, warning that failure to do so could increase dependence on costly wheat imports.
To prevent misuse, fertilizer bags will be labeled “not for sale,” with violators facing a five-year ban from future benefits. Companies involved in malpractice will be blacklisted, and strict action will be taken against officials found negligent. An online control center has also been established to oversee the implementation of the program.
