Sindh govt launches ‘Benazir Hari Card’ aimed to provide cash assistance to farmers

KARACHI: The government of Sindh has announced a Benazir Hari Card scheme to provide cash assistance to small farmers, here on Monday.

As per the details, Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari inaugurated the scheme, which was approved by the Sindh Cabinet on September 23, 2024.

Speaking on the occasion, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said that 1404422 small farmers have been registered for this scheme. 72% of the registered farmers own one to twelve and a half acres of land.

Through the Benazir Hari Card, farmers will get immediate cash assistance and loans on soft terms.

He said that the card holders would be given priority for purchasing quality seeds, fertilizers and wheat, adding that assistance would also be provided for agricultural machinery, solar tube wells and land clearing.

The chief minister said there would be loan facilities for small and medium agribusinesses, adding that crop insurance would also be available, and targeted assistance in case of natural calamities.

Shah said that farmers with up to twelve and a half acres will be given cash assistance ranging from Rs.1,000 to Rs.2,000 per acre, while farmers with more than twenty-five acres will get financial assistance of Rs.500 to Rs.1,000 per acre.

The issue of Hari Card will be monitored by a committee headed by the Assistant Commissioner at the respective level, with the District Commissioner and Divisional Commissioner heading the committees at the district and divisional levels respectively.