Sir: It is extremely deplorable what our current leadership is doing to the farmers of Sindh and Balochistan. After the devastation floods have caused during the past few years, much hope and expectations are placed on the successful harvest of crops. But much to the dismay of farmers, they are not getting any aid from the government. Furthermore, the rate that is fixed by the government has been the lowest in the past few years. Every country, whether it is the US, India or China, all of them offer subsidies, aid, loans and other incentives to their farming community. However, Pakistan seems to be completely oblivious when it comes to such endeavours. With a burgeoning population that needs to be fed, farmers should be given good rates and incentives. The current government only seems interested in building metro buses and pumping money into the steel industry. The rate of rice crop per maund is so low that it is insufficient to cover the capital invested in the form of fertiliser, seed and diesel. I hope the government comes to its senses and sets better rates, otherwise all basic necessities such as rice and wheat, which we grow locally, will be imported since farmers will not be keen on investing in a crop that gives little to no return.MAHWISH J KHANIslamabad