LAHORE: Agriculture and Livestock Minister Ashiq Hussain Kirmani said that farmers are doing better because of new projects led by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. He spoke at a meeting on Wednesday at Agriculture House.
The minister said that in the first phase of the Kissan Card program, the government used 36 billion rupees and recovered 35 billion rupees. This means almost all loans have been paid back. He added that about 337,000 new applications came in for Kissan Card Phase Two. From these, 150,000 new farmers will get loans.
Kirmani said the government will run an awareness campaign so more farmers know about the Kissan Card. He suggested road shows and interviews with farmers who have paid back loans on time. Phase Two of Kissan Card began on May 15. Under this program, farmers get interest-free loans for their Kharif crops. The government has set aside 75 billion rupees for these loans.
He also said farmers in Phase Two can buy diesel more easily, paying 30% in cash and 25% on credit. For the Wheat Support Programme, out of 14 billion rupees approved, 11 billion rupees have already been given to farmers.
Under the Chief Minister Punjab Green Tractor Programme, 9,350 green tractors have gone to farmers in the first phase. In Phase Two, the plan is to give 10,000 local tractors (50–65 horsepower) with a subsidy of 500,000 rupees each. Another 10,000 tractors (75 horsepower and above), local or imported, will get a subsidy of 1,000,000 rupees each.
The minister said model agricultural malls are being built in Sahiwal, Multan, Bahawalpur, and Sargodha. Construction is complete in Multan and Sahiwal. In the next phase, 10 more malls will be built in Punjab.
He added that 2,000 more agricultural graduates will join the internship program in the next phase. They will work in different parts of the Punjab Agriculture Department.
Finally, Kirmani said the first and second phases of giving super seeders under the Chief Minister Punjab Smog Control Programme are done. A total of 5,000 super seeders will reach farmers before paddy harvesting in September this year.
The minister said these steps will help farmers grow more crops, earn more money, and become self-sufficient. He believes the new financial year 2025–26 will bring more growth and prosperity for farmers.
