President of Pakistan Kissan Ittehad Khalid Mehmood strongly rejected a government wheat package worth Rs15 billion and instead sought a crop’s rate, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Sunday.
Khalid Mehmood termed the announcement of a Rs15 billion subsidy a joke and said that Punjab farmers demanding a crop rate are not asking for a charity or donation.
He went on to say that the Punjab Chief Minister’s advisor always tried her best to defame the farming community.
Earlier on April 18, 2025, the Punjab government announced on Wednesday a package of Rs 15 billion for farmers amid reports of falling wheat prices at the time of harvesting, with growers holding rallies in different parts of the province.
Under the Wheat Support Fund, 550,000 wheat farmers will be given direct financial support through the Kisan Card.
The government also announced an exemption for wheat farmers from paying irrigation/fixed tax during the current year.
Under the package, free storage Electronic Warehouse Receipt (EWR) facility will be provided for four months to protect wheat from climate change effects and farmers from market pressure.
The government decided to implement the EWR system in the province.
The farmers storing wheat under this system will get an electronic receipt. Within 24 hours, this receipt can be given to the bank to obtain a loan up to 70 percent of the total cost (of wheat stored).
It also decided to pay a markup against loans obtained from the Bank of Punjab up to Rs 100 billion to flour mills and green license holders for wheat purchase.