By Our Correspondent
LAHORE: A high-level meeting was held at Agriculture House, Lahore under the chairmanship of Punjab Agriculture and Livestock Minister Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani to review the progress of ongoing and upcoming initiatives launched under the Chief Minister’s Agriculture Transformation Program. Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture Usama Khan Leghari and Secretary Agriculture Punjab Iftikhar Ali Sahoo were also present.
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Addressing the meeting, Minister Kirmani stated that Punjab’s agriculture sector is undergoing significant reforms due to the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. He highlighted that 628,000 Kissan Cards have been issued to farmers so far to help them purchase agricultural inputs on time. Under the second phase of the Kissan Card program, Rs. 100 billion was allocated, out of which Rs. 84 billion has already been disbursed. Farmers have utilized Rs. 45 billion from this amount, including Rs. 31 billion spent on fertilizer purchases.
The minister also shared that under the Wheat Support Program, Rs. 12 billion has been distributed among wheat growers. In addition, 955 tractors have been distributed through a transparent balloting process. The second phase of the Green Tractor Scheme will be launched in August. Under this phase, 10,000 locally manufactured tractors (50–65 HP) will be provided with a subsidy of Rs. 500,000 each, while another 10,000 higher horsepower tractors (75–125 HP), both local and imported, will be offered with a subsidy of Rs. 1 million each. The balloting for these tractors will be held at the tehsil level.
Regarding infrastructure development, Minister Kirmani announced that Model Agriculture Malls have been completed in Sahiwal, Multan, Bahawalpur, and Sargodha. Ten additional agri malls will be established in the second phase of the program. Meanwhile, under the Agriculture Graduates Internship Program, 2,000 more interns will be hired. Applications for this program are open until August 8.
In a move toward clean energy, the minister revealed that under the Solarization of Agri Tube Wells program, 3,350 solar systems have been installed so far. Farmers are being offered solar systems of 10, 15, and 20 kW at subsidized rates of Rs. 500,000, Rs. 750,000, and Rs. 1,000,000, respectively.
As part of the Smog Control Program, the government has already completed two phases for the provision of super seeders. Before the upcoming rice harvest in September, 5,000 super seeders will be distributed, with 2,000 units prioritized for rural areas located near motorways.
Looking ahead, the High-Tech Agri Machinery Program aims to provide 1,000 modern machines to farmers in the next fiscal year. A hefty Rs. 30 billion has been allocated under this scheme. Farmers and service providers will be eligible for interest-free loans of up to Rs. 30 million for purchasing equipment, which will be repayable over a five-year period.
Under the Water Conservation Program, 1,400 watercourses will be lined, and 500 laser land levelers will be distributed this year. Another 500 levelers will be handed over next year through a transparent balloting system.
Minister Kirmani also outlined the ambitious Transformation of the Pothohar Region Program. This includes bringing 7,000 acres of land under cultivation, constructing 500 mini dams, lining 250 associated watercourses, planting 6,000 acres of olive trees, cultivating 2,000 acres of peanut seeds, and introducing 100 acres of ginger farming. Additionally, 500 laser land levelers will be distributed in the Pothohar region.
He emphasized that these wide-ranging initiatives aim to modernize agriculture, uplift farmers, improve environmental sustainability, and drive economic growth in rural Punjab. With massive subsidies, transparent processes, and clear targets, Punjab is paving the way for a full-scale agricultural transformation.
