As part of a historic package for farmers, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif launched the Oil Seed Promotion Programme, the Green Tractor Scheme, the Punjab Kissan Bank, and local harvester and agricultural tool production.
The chief minister led a meeting where President Muhammad Nawaz Sharif of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and others provided a thorough briefing on the “Kissan Package.” The main decision was to form a Punjab Kissan Bank to provide farmers with favourable lending terms. The “CM Punjab Green Tractor Scheme” for farmers was also approved. The plan to provide a tractor subsidy of just Rs. 6 lakh was rejected by the chief minister.
The chief minister ordered to give 70 per cent subsidy on a small tractor and 50 per cent subsidy on a big tractor. On the proposal of Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, the number of tractors under Punjab Green Tractor Scheme was enhanced by 10,000. CM Maryam Nawaz ordered to complete the first phase of Punjab Green Tractor Scheme within one year. It was principally decided to increase the number of tractors under the Punjab Green Tractor Scheme every year. The meeting was apprised that farmers possessing land from six acres to 50 acres would be eligible to apply for the Punjab Green Tractor Scheme.
The CM also approved a high-tech mechanisation programme being prepared at a local level. International companies, in collaboration with the local companies, will manufacture harvesters and other tools in Punjab. The proposal to grant incentives to the international companies for manufacturing the latest agricultural tools was reviewed in the meeting. Approval to launch oilseed promotion programme in Punjab was granted under which farmers will be persuaded to produce oily edibles in various parts of the province.
The CM said, “For the first time in the history of Punjab, Rs. 400 billion Kissan Package is being granted. The farmers, besides being granted agricultural revenue, will also be given other privileges and facilities through the Kissan Card. The prosperity of every farmer along with enhancement in agricultural production is part of our foremost tasks.” Launching solarisation of tubewells and drip irrigation system was also reviewed in the meeting. The participants were apprised that 47,000 farmers had gone through their registration process in 48 hours for acquiring Kissan Card.
