Farmers in Pakistan will hold a nationwide protest on April 13. They are opposing corporate farming under the Green Pakistan Initiative (GPI). According to Dawn, several farmer groups made this decision during a joint meeting.
Who Is Leading the Protest?
The Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee, Anjuman Mazareen Punjab, Hari Jedojehad Committee, and Crofter Foundation are among the key groups organizing the protest. They will hold rallies and conventions in different towns and on public-sector farms.
Main Demands of Farmers
During the protest, farmers will demand a complete stop to corporate farming. They will also urge the government to stop evicting peasants from lands they have farmed for generations.
Additionally, they will call for:
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A ban on building controversial canals in southern Punjab
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Distribution of all public agricultural lands to peasants
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Cancellation of outstanding dues notices to tenants worth millions of rupees
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Fixing the wheat purchase price at PKR 4,000 per 40 kg for the current harvesting season
Concerns Over the Green Pakistan Initiative
The GPI is a federal program aimed at boosting agriculture and improving the environment. It uses uncultivated land and turns it into productive farms. The initiative promotes modern technology, smart irrigation, high-quality seeds, artificial intelligence, and better equipment.
However, farmers and activists fear that this plan favors large agribusinesses. They worry it will force small farmers off their land. They also fear losing access to farming tools and other vital resources.
Voices From the Ground
Activists claim that corporate farming could damage the lives of thousands of tenant farmers. They stress the need to protect traditional farming communities. One activist said, “We cannot allow big companies to take over lands that our people have tilled for decades.”
