Farmers urge swift govt action to mitigate flood damage, demand revival package

Following the recent floods that devastated rural areas of Punjab, farmers’ organizations have called on the government to act swiftly in mitigating the damage and securing the livelihoods of affected farmers.

The organizations are demanding the launch of a comprehensive revival package, in addition to ongoing rescue efforts, to help restore the agricultural economy of the region.

The proposed revival package should include financial aid, high-quality seeds, and essential agricultural inputs like fertilizers and pesticides, according to farmer leaders. Khalid Hussain Bath, President of Kissan Ittehad Pakistan (KIP), said that nearly 2.5 million acres of cultivated land had been destroyed, including essential crops like rice, cotton, and millet. 

He emphasized the severity of the damage, noting that thousands of villages across Punjab were devastated. Bath also criticised the Punjab government’s failure to purchase wheat from farmers in recent years, leaving them with little to no financial support.

Dr. Zafar Hayat, President of the Farmer Bureau of Pakistan (FBP), expressed the need for immediate action to ensure farmers can prepare for the next crop season without undue financial strain. 

Hayat highlighted the significant stress already placed on farmers due to the government’s failure to announce a wheat support price or purchase grain earlier this year.

The Agriculture Minister Punjab, Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani, visited the affected areas, overseeing relief efforts coordinated by the provincial government. Kirmani noted that more than 1,200 personnel were working across 429 flood relief camps to provide assistance. The Agriculture and Livestock Departments have distributed substantial supplies, including green fodder for livestock, animal feed, and wheat straw, as well as provided medical treatment and vaccinations for over 500,000 animals.

Farmers are warning that failure to address the situation quickly could jeopardize the nation’s food security. They assert that if the farmer is not supported, the entire country could face long-term consequences.