LAHORE, Feb 26: Rejecting the new wheat support price of Rs510 per 40kg, farmers on Tuesday wanted the government increase it to "at least Rs800 per 40kg".

Addressing a press conference, representatives of the Chamber of Agriculture, the Kissan Board Pakistan, AgriForum Pakistan, the Farmers Associate Pakistan and the Punjab Water Council said that world wheat price had risen beyond Rs1,000 per 40kg.

By keeping the price low, the government would only encourage smuggling of good quality wheat and would be forced to import low quality wheat afterwards, they said, adding that it would not only affect farmers but consumers and national exchequer as well.

They said wheat prices in India had also risen to Rs800 per 40Kg in Pakistani rupee exchange value. Given the porous nature of border between both countries, smuggling remained a possibility.