Gujrat: In a significant move to boost agricultural support in Punjab, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced an expansion of the Kissan Card program, which now includes the provision of free tractors, laser levelers, and an array of subsidies for the farming community. The announcement was made during a ceremony in Hafizabad on Monday.
According to Zameen.Com, the Chief Minister unveiled several new initiatives under the Kissan Card scheme, including the increase of cardholders from 500,000 to 750,000 and the distribution of free agricultural equipment. This effort is part of a broader PKR 400 billion investment in farmer-centric projects launched over the past six months.
During her address at the Kissan Card distribution ceremony, CM Maryam highlighted the allocation of PKR 150 billion in Kissan Cards, marking the first such extensive dispersal in the province’s history. Farmers cultivating wheat on areas between 12.5 to 25 acres will receive free laser levelers, while those managing over 25 acres will be granted free tractors. Furthermore, the program will facilitate agricultural machinery rentals without any markup and expand the Kissan Card dealer network to 3,000 outlets across Punjab.
The Chief Minister expressed optimism about the province’s future, linking the program’s expansion to broader political stability and economic revival. She assured farmers of continued governmental support, emphasizing that the challenges of sedition, inflation, and lawlessness are being replaced by stability and prosperity under the current administration. “Punjab is rapidly changing. Sedition, riots, and inflated prices are giving way to stability and prosperity. This change reflects the end of divisive politics and a shift towards harmony,” CM Maryam stated.
Additionally, the Chief Minister announced plans to convert 7,000 diesel and electric tubewells to solar power, which will substantially reduce the operational costs for farmers. She also noted a forthcoming reduction in the prices of essential resources like seeds and fertilizers, aiming to ensure that profits stay with the farmers rather than going to middlemen.
Former federal minister Saira Afzal Tarar highlighted the practical benefits of the Kissan Card, which allows farmers to purchase seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides at subsidized rates, capped at PKR 150,000 per card. This initiative is part of the government’s commitment to uplifting the agricultural sector and improving the livelihoods of farmers across Punjab.