Pakistan, May 23 -- As we enter talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for its next loan programme, one thing is becoming clear: our farmers may be asked to pay the price for economic recovery. The IMF wants the government to raise taxes on fertilisers and pesticides. These two things are essential for farming. If accepted, these taxes would make it even harder for farmers to survive.

This is unfair. Agriculture is the main sector of Pakistan in terms of jobs and growth. It feeds the country, provides jobs to millions and forms the backbone of our rural economy. Farmers are already struggling with rising costs, climate shocks and poor support from the state.

Adding more taxes now would be like kicking a man who is already down...