Summary Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah immediately abolished the five-bag limit per acre and allowed small farmers to sell their wheat to the government without any quantity restriction
KARACHI (Dunya News) - Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, presiding over a meeting, reviewed the ongoing wheat procurement campaign for 2026 and allowed small growers, registered under the scheme, to supply as much grain as they wish by waiving the five -bags-per-acre limit.
He directed the food department to accelerate procurement, ensure immediate payments to farmers, and strengthen field-level outreach to meet the provincial target.
The Chief Minister was informed that the wheat procurement campaign began on April 1, with a target of one million metric tons at a support price of Rs3,500 per 40 kg.
The programme covers over 332,000 farmers cultivating wheat on approximately 1.94 million acres across the province.
Minister for Food Makhdoom Mahboob Zaman informed the Chief Minister that approximately 8,958 metric tons of wheat had so far been procured against the overall target of 973,900 metric tons. Responding to a query, he stated that the procurement target could not be achieved primarily due to the restriction of five bags per acre imposed on small growers.
Taking notice of the issue, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah immediately abolished the five-bag limit per acre and allowed small farmers to sell their wheat to the government without any quantity restriction.
The meeting was told that payments to farmers have been significantly expedited, with funds now being transferred within one day through Sindh Bank. So far, Rs198.3 million has been disbursed among growers.
The Chief Minister expressed satisfaction over the improved payment mechanism and said, “Timely payment is crucial for farmers’ trust. We must ensure that every grower is paid promptly and transparently.”
Murad Ali Shah directed the district administration, agriculture, and food departments to further intensify the procurement drive and ensure maximum participation of farmers.
“All eligible farmers must be encouraged to bring their wheat to government procurement centres. This is essential not only for food security but also for supporting our growers,” he said.
He emphasised that farmers selling wheat to the government would remain eligible for future subsidies and support programmes.
“Our farmers are the backbone of our economy. We will continue to support them through fair pricing, timely payments, and effective procurement policies,” he said.
The meeting was attended by Minister Information Sharjeel Memon, Minister Food Makhdoom Mahboobuz Zaman, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, PSCM Agha Wasif, Secretary Agriculture Zaman Narejo, Secretary Food Abbas Naich, senior officials, and representatives of Sindh Bank.
