The paradox of Sindh's wheat policy

Dawn reported that the Sindh cabinet decided on August 5 to bring in 5 million tons of wheat via the Trading Corporation of Pakistan, covering a projected shortfall of 1.69 million tons. Provincial estimates put FY26 consumption at 6.53 million tons against availability of 4.91 million tons, a deficit of 1.59 million tons. Output still exceeded the 4.22 million ton target by 688,194 tons.

Compared with FY25, acreage rose 25.7 per cent to 1.57 million hectares, while output climbed 39 per cent from 3.1 million tons. The provincial agriculture department credited the government's wheat support programme, which gave cash subsidies on inputs to 0.3 million growers. Launched in November 2025, the scheme carried a Rs55 billion package aimed at 412,000 small and medium farmers, yet only 0.33 million were enrolled.

The food department bought just 81,000 tons against a 1 million ton target, as growers sold into the open market when prices rose. Sindh Food Minister Mehboob Zaman said procurement was limited to registered Benazir Hari Card holders, while Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah called for digitised estimates and reforms. A senior official expects the province to hold 6 to 6.5 million tons of wheat within the next couple of months.