Maryam unveils initiatives for farmers

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has launched a series of groundbreaking initiatives to empower farmers, including the largest Kisan Card programme, Green Tractors Programme and a massive agricultural graduates’ internship programme. They aim to promote sustainable agriculture, enhance crop yields and support the next generation of farmers. The CM has set a new benchmark for farmer welfare through these innovative programmes.

Agricultural inputs worth more than Rs30 billion have been purchased from the Kisan Card. DAP and other fertilizers are available at fixed rates. Furthermore, 99 percent of the total wheat cultivation target has also been achieved. Under the Green Tractors Programme, out of 5,000 tractors, 2,500 tractors have been provided to farmers. Besides a subsidy amounting to Rs1 million per tractor is being provided. Agriculture graduates are guiding farmers across the province. They will also get a monthly scholarship of Rs60,000 for the assignment.

Model agriculture malls are nearing completion in Multan, Bahawalpur, Sargodha and Sahiwal. They will offer training to farmers, banking, modern agricultural machinery, pesticides, seeds, and fertilizers, all under one roof.

A crackdown is already underway against fake and adulterated agricultural inputs. A programme is also being considered to convert 8,000 agricultural tubewells to solar energy at Rs9 billion. A project to restore canola gardens will be launched at the cost of Rs1.5 billion.