Sindh Cabinet Boosts Support For Farmers And Fisherfolk

Karachi: The Sindh provincial cabinet has approved a set of measures aimed at strengthening the position of small farmers, livestock breeders and fisherfolk, officials said following a government meeting chaired by the provincial chief minister.

The cabinet approved the final draft of the Sindh Farmers Agricultural Collectives Act 2026, which would allow small farmers, livestock breeders and inland fishers to organise collectively, pool resources and access finance and technology more easily.

Under the proposed regulation, agricultural collectives will be governed democratically on the principle of “one member one vote,” with representation for women and transgender persons and transparent profit‑sharing mechanisms. The bill also aims to help participants engage in higher‑value markets and carbon‑credit initiatives.

Officials said the legislation defines “small farmers” as those owning or cultivating between one and 25 acres of land and extends the collective approach to include livestock and inland fisheries sectors.

In addition to agricultural reforms, the cabinet directed a crackdown on wheat hoarding to stabilise prices amid a projected shortfall in wheat supplies. It also moved to digitise wheat procurement and storage systems to improve transparency in food management.

The government approved amendments to fisheries regulations to create the Sindh Fisheries Security Service, strengthen monitoring of marine resources and improve enforcement at unauthorized jetties along the province’s coastline.

Additional social measures were endorsed, including a five‑year plan with Aga Khan University to expand inclusive education and train thousands of teachers for students with disabilities across Sindh.

Source: ARY News