Vegetable Prices Soar Across Pakistan

Tomatoes, Vegetables, and Food Items Soaring Prices and Profiteering!
By: Zaheer Ahmad Awan
Profiteering, unfair price hikes, and fraudulent practices have become some of the most serious social and economic issues in our society today. Throughout the year, the prices of vegetables, fruits, and essential food items continue to rise, placing an unbearable burden on the public. Ironically, Pakistan is an agricultural country that produces wheat, sugarcane, maize, rice, fruits, and vegetables in abundance yet due to administrative negligence and poor planning, these blessings have turned into a source of distress for the common man.
Despite having agricultural departments and research institutes, their performance remains disappointing. Billions of rupees are allocated to these institutions every year, but no effective system for modern farming, storage, or price stabilization has been developed.On the other hand, profiteering cartels and hoarders arbitrarily set prices to exploit consumers. Weak administrative control and lack of strict legal action have allowed these elements to grow stronger with time.In developed countries, food pricing is controlled through strong agricultural planning and advanced technology. For example,the Netherlands, Japan,and China have introduced hydroponic and greenhouse farming, allowing the cultivation of vegetables and fruits throughout the year. In these countries,drones and artificial intelligence (AI) are used to monitor soil fertility, water requirements, and crop yield forecasts — helping to maintain price stability and ensure the availability of fresh, affordable produce for citizens.
In Europe, automated Price Monitoring Systems have been established to protect farmers, traders, and consumers alike. In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) actively takes action against price manipulation and hoarding. Similarly, India has launched a Digital Agriculture Mission, using data analytics to stabilize both production and pricing.
If Pakistan wishes to address this crisis seriously, the government must declare an agricultural emergency and implement a comprehensive national agricultural policy. Modern technology should be introduced across all provinces to boost the cultivation of fruits and vegetables. Price and Quality Control Committees must be reactivated, and online complaint centers should be established so that citizens can directly report profiteering and hoarding. Alongside this, strict penalties and fines must be enforced to deter such practices.
The need of the hour is for the government to act swiftly and decisively. If the administration becomes active, technology is utilized effectively, and public participation is ensured, controlling inflation will not be impossible. Pakistan, being an agricultural country, can provide real relief to its people and with proper planning, transparency, and determination, it can even become a model for the world in agricultural development.