LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has announced important measures to support farmers throughout the province. These comprehensive measures include the enhanced limit on the Kissan Card loan and subsidies for the solarisation of tube wells.
The announcement was made during a visit to the Kala Shah Kaku Rice Research Institute, where she also announced initiatives for the wheat farmers.
Kissan Card Loan Limit Increased to Rs. 300,00.0. The chief minister announced that the Kissan Card loan limit has been doubled to Rs. 300,000 from the previous limit of Rs. 150,000 to support farmers.
The chief minister said 85% of the issued loans have been paid back, which shows consistent borrower engagement and repayment capacity of small and medium-scale farmers.
Increased accessibility has been planned for farmers who do not own a Kissan Card with a new SMS and helpline system. Maryam Nawaz also announced there will be a subsidy of up to 95% for the solarisation of agricultural tube wells, which is intended to help reduce energy costs and promote sustainable farming systems.
Green Tractors for Farmers
The farmers will be granted green tractors on subsidy next year for 20,000 farmers, along with agricultural machinery rental centers being set up in every tehsil. The Chief Minister indicated that similar programs were last introduced at the previous term of Nawaz Sharif, and he linked the new effort formally to past government support for agriculture.
Support for Wheat and Cotton Farmers
The chief minister reiterated that the government would provide direct subsidies instead of a support price for wheat with current support set to be Rs. 5,000 per acre. She encouraged farmers to disregard disinformation and reassured them the government will protect farmer incomes.
Growth to Enhance Agriculture and Tackle Climate Change
She also noted an increase of 30 – 40% increase in cotton production by early sowing and projects a total of six million bales this year.
Inflation, Input Costs Maryam said inflation was down from 40% to near zero, and that prices of basic staples such as onions, flour, and bread had dropped.
She said, while also stating that the government is already working on bringing the costs of seed, fertilizer, pesticides, diesel, and electricity bills for tube wells down.
During the function, the chief minister also distributed tractors and cash grants to wheat farmers. She also looked at the latest Chinese manufactured tractors, noting the government‘s intention to modernize the agriculture sector.
