Maryam launches agriculture projects Phase-II….
500 mini dams, 250 water reservoir projects in Pothohar reviewed
LAHORE: Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has given approval for the phase-II launching of the projects of the Agriculture Department through which farmers will be given loans worth Rs. 100 billion through 628,000 Kissan Cards. Maryam Nawaz Sharif, presided over a special meeting regarding the Agriculture Department. Under the Agriculture Transformation Program, 500 mini dams and 250 water reservoir projects were reviewed in Pothohar. It was agreed to provide interest-free loans of Rs. 100 billion under Kissan Card Phase-II.
A detailed briefing was given on Green Tractor, Model Agriculture, Tube Well Solarization, Wheat Program, Super Seeder, Citrus, Pothohar, Agri-Transformation and other issues. The Chief Minister has sought a plan for providing agricultural inputs to the wheat farmers at subsidized rates. She underscored that wheat farmers will not be left alone, a new project will be launched before the crop is harvested. The meeting reviewed proposals for advance subsidy to reduce the input cost of wheat.
Farmers owning up to 25 acres of land will be able to get diesel, fertilizer, seeds and agricultural chemicals through Kissan Card. On the direction of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the processing fee of Rs 1,000 has been abolished in Kissan Card Phase-II Project. The registration of 4,200 agricultural suppliers for Kissan Card Phase-II has been completed. The target of 99 percent loan recovery from farmers in Kissan Card Phase-I has been achieved.
Under the Green Tractor Program Phase-II, 20,000 tractors will be available on subsidy. The government will pay a subsidy of Rs 500,000 for 50 to 65 horsepower and Rs 1 million for 75 to 125 horsepower. The collection of applications for the Green Tractor Scheme will start in August. The manufacturing and distribution of green tractors will be completed in September. The Chief Minister directed continuous monitoring to ensure the presence of green tractors in the field. CM Model Agriculture Mall Phase-II will be launched in 10 districts from July. Model Agriculture Malls will be built in Faisalabad, Jhang, Okara, Khanewal, Rajanpur, Vehari, Rahim Yar Khan, Sheikhupura, Attock and Mianwali.–NNI
