Lahore: Pakistan farm budgets for FY27 raised agriculture allocations, but high input costs, power tariffs and a 213% agricultural income tax target threaten farm profitability.
Punjab allocated Rs91.9 billion for agriculture and Rs132.54 billion for agriculture, livestock and fisheries, according to official budget reporting.
The commentary said Punjab set aside Rs 10 billion for the second phase of the Kissan Card after 832,000 cards were issued and more than Rs 100 billion in inputs were purchased through the scheme.
Punjab also allocated Rs7.7 billion and Rs9.9 billion for low- and high-power tractor subsidies, respectively, to support another 20,000 subsidised units.
Sindh folded its Benazir Hari Card into a Rs13.2 billion social protection package after issuing 306,709 cards, the commentary said.
Balochistan earmarked Rs23.6 billion for agriculture, including Rs4.4 billion for development and Rs19.2 billion for current spending.
The province also set aside Rs2.5 billion for an Agro Market Hub, Rs1 billion for its Kissan Card Program and Rs200 million for a Cotton Program, according to budget documents.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa focused on water conservation and command-area development in the southern districts.
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The agricultural income tax target for FY2026-27 was set at Rs12.5 billion, a 213% increase over the revised figure for the previous year. Pakistan Kissan Ittehad had warned of nationwide protests if farmers did not receive direct relief on diesel and DAP fertiliser.
