By Our Correspondent
LAHORE: Under the Chief Minister Punjab Wheat Support Program, the free distribution of green tractors to farmers across the province is in full swing. A total of 1,000 tractors are being distributed through a transparent balloting process. Speaking at a ceremony held in Multan for the distribution of green tractors to farmers under the “Grow More Wheat” campaign, Minister for Agriculture Punjab Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani stated that the Chief Minister Punjab has launched a historic package worth Rs. 27 billion to boost wheat cultivation and production.
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As part of the wheat production competition, the first prize at the provincial level is an 85-horsepower tractor, the second prize is a 75-horsepower tractor, and the third prize is a 60-horsepower tractor. At the district level, farmers will receive Rs. 1 million for the first prize, Rs. 0.8 million for the second, and Rs. 0.5 million for the third.
Under this program, farmers cultivating wheat on 1 to 12.5 acres of land are being given a financial subsidy of Rs. 5,000 per acre. Minister for Agriculture Punjab Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani added that, as part of the “Grow More Wheat” campaign, 109 farmers in the Multan Division are being provided tractors.
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He further stated that in the first phase of the Green Tractors Program, 9,500 lucky farmers have already received tractors, and in the second phase, an additional 20,000 tractors will be distributed. Under Phase 2 of the Chief Minister Punjab Kissan Card initiative, Rs. 100 billion in interest-free loans are also being offered, with the loan limit increased to Rs. 300,000. The landholding eligibility has also been expanded to 25 acres.
Farmers are allowed to withdraw 30 percent of the loan amount in cash, while 20 percent is reserved specifically for diesel purchases. To facilitate this scheme, 4,000 registered dealers and more than 700 PSO filling stations have been included.
The ceremony was also addressed by Secretary Agriculture Punjab Iftikhar Ali Sahoo. On the occasion, Minister for Agriculture Punjab Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani handed over keys of the free green tractors to the fortunate farmers.
The event was attended by Secretary Agriculture Punjab Iftikhar Ali Sahoo, Commissioner Aamir Karim Khan, MPA Maqooda Bibi, former MPA Rana Ejaz Ahmed Noon, Special Secretary Agriculture South Punjab Sarfraz Hussain Magasi, Additional Secretary Task Force Rana Shabbir Ahmed Khan, Director Generals of Agriculture Punjab Chaudhry Abdul Hameed, Naveed Asmat Kahloon, Dr. Amir Rasool, Dr. Abdul Qayyum, Dr. Sajid-ur-Rehman, and a large number of farmers.
