WEBDESK: A nationwide farmers protest is set to begin on April 13, 2025, against the Green Pakistan Initiative (GPI) and its emphasis on corporate farming.The farmers protest is being organised by various farmer associations, including the Pakistan Kisan Rabita Committee and the Anjuman Mazareen Punjab. They are calling for an end to corporate farming and the protection of farmers’ land rights.
According to reports, the farmers protest will feature rallies and conventions in cities across Pakistan, particularly in public sector farms. The main demand is to stop the eviction of farmers from lands that have been cultivated for generations. These farmers are concerned that the introduction of corporate farming will push them off their land and concentrate agricultural power in the hands of large businesses.
In addition to this, the farmers protest will address several other key issues. One major demand is to halt the construction of controversial canals in Southern Punjab, which are believed to harm local farming communities. Farmers are also calling for the distribution of government-owned agricultural land to the actual cultivators.
Another important issue being raised during the farmers strike is the demand for the withdrawal of notices regarding rent arrears from tenant farmers.
Additionally, the farmers are asking the government to fix the wheat procurement price at 4,000 rupees per 40 kilograms during the current harvesting season.
The Green Pakistan Initiative, launched by the federal government, aims to modernise agriculture by introducing advanced technology, irrigation systems, high-quality seeds, AI-driven monitoring, and better farming equipment. The goal is to transform unused land into high-production farms to boost agricultural growth and address environmental concerns.
However, many farmers and social activists fear that the push for corporate farming will hurt small farmers. They worry that it will lead to the eviction of farmers from state-owned lands and restrict their access to essential agricultural resources.
These concerns have fueled the farmers protest, as they seek to protect their livelihoods and the future of small-scale farming in Pakistan.
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