Punjab announces Rs1,500 per acre support for wheat farmers amid diesel price surge

The Punjab government has decided to provide financial assistance of Rs1,500 per acre to wheat farmers to cushion the impact of rising diesel prices triggered by the ongoing Iran war, as harvesting operations intensify across the province.

Punjab Agriculture Minister Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani said the relief measure aims to ease the financial burden on growers facing higher machinery and transportation costs during the wheat harvesting season.

He added that the Chief Minister of Punjab will personally monitor the distribution of funds to ensure transparency and timely disbursement to farmers.

The announcement came during an emergency meeting chaired by the agriculture minister with field formations through a video link to review harvesting operations and assess the cost pressures faced by farmers.

During the meeting, the minister directed relevant formations to immediately engage with service providers to bring down wheat harvesting charges and prevent excessive pricing during the peak season.

He also instructed field officers to maintain continuous coordination with farmers to ensure that harvesting activities proceed smoothly and that growers do not encounter operational difficulties.

The meeting was attended by Secretary Agriculture Punjab Iftikhar Ali Sahoo, Additional Secretary (Task Force) Muhammad Shabbir Ahmed Khan, and Directors General Agriculture Chaudhry Abdul Hameed and Naveed Asmat Kahloon, along with other senior officials, while officers from field formations participated online.