Farmers feel left out as budget sidelines agriculture

Farmers across Pakistan are voicing deep dissatisfaction, describing their emotions as "angry, frustrated and helpless" in the wake of the latest budget. They feel the government has largely forgotten a sector that forms a cornerstone of the national economy. This sentiment of helplessness is particularly devastating, leaving many with dwindling hope and limited options for the future.

The core of their grievance lies in the perceived neglect of agriculture within the budget speech and accompanying documents. Farmers point out that the sector, which accounts for nearly a quarter of the country's gross domestic product (GDP), employs approximately 33 percent of the workforce, ensures the nation's food supply, provides raw materials for industries, and underpins the entire rural economy, received minimal attention.

Khalid Khokhar, head of Pakistan Kissan Ittehad, a prominent farmers' organization, captured the prevailing mood. "We had an idea of what was coming when the prime minister convened a mee," he stated, suggesting a pre-existing awareness within the farming community about potential policy directions. The lack of specific agricultural policies, planning, or financial allocations in the budget has left farmers feeling abandoned and powerless, questioning their role and support within the national economic framework.

“

We had an idea of what was coming when the prime minister convened a mee