Pakistan, June 9 -- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi's resolve to achieve food self-sufficiency by 2030 has come with an immediate test. The provincial government has announced direct wheat purchases from farmers this season, with a target of 225,000 tonnes at Rs3,500 per maund, payment within 24 hours, and a promise to fill official warehouses before the off-season.

It is a useful intervention, but not a plan. At best, it may ease market pressure for a few months. At worst, it may once again allow the province to confuse procurement with food security. The province has been here before. Every year, the same cycle returns with small variations. The harvest arrives, the government announces a procurement plan, growers compl...