The year 2024 had been marked by the worst exploitation of farmers by market forces, and if a similar trend is seen in 2025, then it would not only prove disastrous for the agriculture sector but would cause irreparable loss to the agro-economy.

The nonexistence of a regulatory framework in the country means market forces decide the price of commodities. Agriculture is a sector that already remains at the mercy of nature, and growers hardly get adequate prices for major crops as farmers’ exploitation is at the hands of buyers.

Farmers had to sell their produce 30-40 per cent below support or indicative prices of wheat and cotton. The government remained indecisive about whether or not to fix commodities prices in 2024; if the same approach was applied in 2025, it would be disastrous for the agriculture sector. Still, I hope better sense prevails at decision-making forums of the country, and farmer-friendly policies and decisions will be witnessed in 2025.

Published in Dawn, The Business and Finance Weekly, December 30th, 2024