LAHORE, Oct 28 (APP): Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday announced 10 major initiatives for farmers, including the establishment of the province’s first Apna Kisan Bank, interest-free loans of up to Rs100 million, increased financing under the Kisan Card and a special package for olive cultivation.
Addressing a gathering of small, medium and large farmers from across the province here, she said the government would ensure implementation of the wheat support price of Rs4,500 per maund in line with the federal government’s decision. She also announced an increase of Rs3,500 per acre in the Kisan Card loan limit, raising it from Rs30,000 to Rs33,500.
Under the proposed financing arrangement, farmers would be able to obtain loans of up to Rs100 million at zero markup, while loans of up to Rs300 million would carry a two per cent interest rate and those of up to Rs500 million a five per cent rate, she said.
The CM said the government was providing Rs17 billion in subsidised agricultural loans and had increased the Kisan Card financing limit in view of rising fertiliser prices. More than one million small farmers were benefiting from the scheme, she added, noting that digitalisation had ensured merit-based disbursement and reduced farmers’ dependence on middlemen.
She said loan recovery had remained close to 100 per cent, reflecting mutual trust between farmers and the government. Steps were also being taken to include tenant farmers and those cultivating land on lease in the Kisan Card programme.
Maryam Nawaz Sharif said Punjab was the country’s food basket, meeting around 70 per cent of its food requirements, and stressed that Pakistan’s economic progress was closely linked to the prosperity of its farmers. She said the government had resisted pressure from the International Monetary Fund over agricultural income tax to safeguard farmers’ interests. Fertiliser supplies and prices had also been kept under control during her tenure, she added.
Highlighting agricultural mechanisation, the chief minister said 25,000 tractors had already been provided to farmers on subsidy, while 50,000 tractors were being offered under the Green Tractor Scheme. The government was allocating Rs70 billion for high-tech agricultural mechanisation, with equipment such as happy seeders in high demand.
She said mechanisation initiatives were encouraging investment in agricultural machinery manufacturing, with local companies producing around 30,000 tractors. Punjab was also witnessing the establishment of its first harvester assembly and tractor manufacturing plants, she added.
The CM said agro-processing parks were being established in Sargodha, Bhakkar, Khanewal and Okara to help farmers obtain better prices for their produce. Facilities for grading, processing and storing mangoes, kinnow, oranges, potatoes and other crops would reduce post-harvest losses and support exports.
She said the government aimed to increase agricultural production and export surplus produce after value addition. Higher wheat output would also create opportunities to export value-added products, including pasta. Under the Apna Khet, Apna Rozgar initiative, farmers were being provided incentives and financial assistance for wheat cultivation, while a wheat procurement plan and an online portal for digital processing would be launched soon.
The CM said 1,500 agriculture interns were working in the field to assist farmers, each receiving Rs70,000 per month. Mobile soil-fertility and water-testing laboratories were also being introduced to help improve crop yields.
On irrigation, she said the government was providing high-powered irrigation systems and constructing 400 mini dams in the Potohar region. Watercourses would be lined to prevent wastage, while the campaign against water theft would continue to ensure fair distribution of irrigation water. “Whether a farmer is small or large, poor or influential, every field will receive its due share of water up to the tail end,” she said, adding that measures were being taken to improve canal desilting.
Maryam Nawaz Sharif announced a special package and subsidies to promote olive cultivation, expressing confidence that Punjab’s olives could compete in international markets. She also congratulated Pakistan on becoming a permanent member of the International Olive Council after previously holding observer status.
She said 400,000 animals had been fattened during the past year, while the government aimed to prepare another 600,000 livestock animals during the current year to promote livestock farming and value addition.
Urging farmers to support efforts to combat smog, the chief minister called on them to refrain from burning crop residues. She assured the gathering that their proposals and recommendations would be considered for implementation in phases.
Describing Provincial Minister for Agriculture Ashiq Hussain Kirmani as a representative of farmers’ concerns, she said his own farming experience enabled him to understand the problems and requirements of the agricultural community.
Speaking on the occasion, Kirmani thanked the chief minister for dedicating her birthday to farmers. He said value-addition projects were being launched to secure better returns for growers and highlighted investment in agricultural machinery manufacturing.
Farmer Hassan Raza thanked the chief minister for announcing the wheat support price of Rs4,500 per maund and described her as a source of hope for the farming community. Farmer Amir Hayat Bandesha appreciated the Kisan Card and other government initiatives, including the electrobus project.
Farmer Bilal Khan said Punjab’s olives had strong export potential and could become export-ready within two to three years, while farmer Sajjad Ali appreciated the government’s campaign against water theft.
The farmers welcomed the Kisan Card initiative, describing it as an important step towards agricultural development and appreciating the government’s measures to support the farming community.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
