{
  "id": 8833439,
  "title": "The economics behind farmers’ growing discontent",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/the-economics-behind-farmers-growing-discontent",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-21T03:37:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn Business",
    "slug": "dawn-business",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2031547/the-economics-behind-farmers-growing-discontent"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Middle East crisis and rising oil prices have heightened public concern, prompting multiple protests in the capital city. Farm leaders have expressed deep dissatisfaction with high input costs and low crop prices, specifically for wheat and sugarcane, urging the government to take immediate action. However, they have distanced themselves from a planned farmers' march, considering it politically motivated and poorly timed. Kissan Ittehad Pakistan (KIP), a registered political party, anticipates approximately 20,000 farmers to gather in Islamabad on the 25th, demanding the resignation of the Punjab Chief Minister and calling for prompt payment of sugarcane growers' dues and a fair wheat procurement policy before sowing begins.\n\nKhalid Mahmood Khokhar, President of Pakistan Kissan Ittehad, has criticized the government for neglecting agriculture, citing inconsistent, inadequate policies, abrupt changes, soaring input costs, unsustainable crop prices, poor land-use management, and ill-informed officials as factors eroding the agricultural potential and pushing farmers to the brink. The last three years have been particularly challenging for farmers, with high input costs and low crop prices contributing to widespread unrest.\n\nSenators and farmers in Sindh have blamed the Punjab government's lack of attention and perceived arrogance for the planned protest. They argue that the government dismisses farmers' genuine concerns as a \"funded agenda.\" Sindh Abadgar Ittehad, a coalition of farmers' associations, supports the resolution of immediate concerns, including a minimum wheat price and clearing sugarcane dues, but is hesitant to join extreme forms of protest. Mahmood Nawaz Shah, President of Sindh Abadgar Board, considers the march premature and emphasizes the need for clear demands, viable solutions, and broad support.\n\nA farmer and writer, Khalid Saeed Wattoo, advocates for a more conducive ecosystem for agricultural growth, highlighting issues such as neglect of research and extension services and policymakers' poor understanding of the sector's importance and challenges. He specifically concerns about wheat, crucial for food security, and its consistent poor support price and procurement policies across provinces. Wattoo questions high fertiliser prices and disparities in abiyana rates, suggesting that the market is tilted against growers. He doubts the legitimacy of the planned farmers' protest, citing issues with organizers and the targets.",
  "summary": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2031468",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}