Lahore, April 16, 2025: In a landmark move to support the province’s agricultural backbone, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday announced a Rs15 billion wheat relief package for over 550,000 farmers under the Wheat Support Fund.
The announcement was made during a high-level meeting chaired by CM Maryam, where several key initiatives were finalized to assist wheat growers grappling with seasonal challenges and market instability.
“I will not let farmers suffer. They are our brothers—we stand with them and will continue to support them,” Maryam Nawaz declared during the unveiling of the package.
Key Features of the Wheat Support Package:
- Direct cash assistance: Farmers will receive financial support through the Kisan Card to help cover essential input costs.
- Tax relief: Wheat growers will be exempted from fixed and excise taxes for the current wheat season.
- Free storage for four months: To safeguard wheat from weather-related damage and price volatility, the government will provide free storage facilities for up to four months.
- Electronic warehouse receipt system: A new system will enable farmers to receive electronic receipts upon storing wheat, which can be used to obtain loans of up to 70% of the grain’s value within 24 hours.
- Subsidized markup on loans: The provincial government will allocate Rs5 billion to cover interest payments on loans taken for wheat storage. An additional Rs1 billion will be provided to support flour mills and green license holders in wheat procurement.
- Wheat export proposal: The Punjab government will approach the federal government for approval to export wheat and wheat-based products—a move aimed at stabilizing prices and managing surplus.
- Lifting of movement restrictions: In a major policy shift, the ban on the inter-provincial and intra-district movement of wheat and flour has been lifted, enabling freer trade and improved market access.
- Support for storage infrastructure: The Bank of Punjab will finance the construction and renovation of private wheat warehouses, with the government covering the associated markup costs.
CM Maryam Nawaz emphasized that the package is designed not only to offer immediate relief but also to promote long-term sustainability in Punjab’s agricultural sector.
“This initiative is part of our broader commitment to revitalizing the rural economy and empowering farmers,” she added.
