Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has launched an extensive initiative to support wheat farmers in the region, featuring the distribution of free tractors and land levelers under the ‘Green Tractor Scheme.’
The new program, part of a broader effort worth billions, is designed to improve agricultural output and directly benefit farmers.
The initiative allows farmers with wheat land and a minimum of 12.5 hectares up to 25 hectares to claim 1,000 land levelers. On its part, 1,000 green tractors will be distributed to farmers cultivating more than 25 acres through a fair lottery system. The move is aimed at equal distribution to strengthen the agricultural sector.
The chief minister said that the Nawaz government is committed to the betterment of farmers as well because the Punjab farmers are its brothers. “We will totally support our farmers in Punjab,” she said, underlining the pivotal role of agriculture in the economy of the province.
The government has also launched the Kisan Card program to provide interest-free quality seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides to farmers for wheat production. It started on October 28 in Hafizabad, through which the government will also streamline access to agricultural resources and eliminate the role of middlemen.
The “Green Tractor Scheme” is also a part of this program, which has received an overwhelming response with 1.5 million applications. This scheme is providing subsidies up to Rs1 million on tractors costing around Rs4 million. The government is also going to install machinery hubs in every tehsil with an amount of Rs10-15 billion so that the farmers can obtain equipment at reasonable prices.
Yet another very important component of the agricultural reform agenda by the government is converting 7,000 tube wells from diesel and petrol to solar. It not only reduces energy costs for farmers but also encourages sustainable agriculture in the country.
