LAHORE – President of Pakistan Kisan Ittehad, Khalid Mahmood Khokhar, announced that farmers will not grow wheat and cotton next year due to unbearable production costs and government neglect.
Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Khokhar expressed deep frustration, saying, “We are clearly stating that wheat and cotton will not be cultivated next year.” He criticized the political leadership, claiming that assemblies are focused only on arguments, not actual work.
He highlighted that cotton prices have caused severe financial losses to farmers, adding that potassium fertiliser now costs Rs10,000 per bag. “Our cost of production has increased by several hundred percent, and there is no profit in any crop,” he said.
Khokhar also pointed out that cotton contributes nearly 65% to Pakistan’s foreign exchange earnings. However, the growers are now disheartened and losing confidence in continuing cultivation. He added that wheat, Pakistan’s most essential crop, is no longer financially viable for farmers.
Targeting Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, he said her recent decisions have added to farmers’ woes. “She said economic pressure on farmers was her decision. That was like rubbing salt into our wounds,” Khokhar remarked.
Furthermore, he criticized the state of agricultural research in Pakistan, stating that unlike other countries where universities lead the research, Pakistan has created separate institutions. He added that Nawaz Sharif Agriculture University is already facing financial ruin, showing the government’s lack of priority for agriculture.