The Kissan Card initiative, launched by the Punjab government in June 2024, is a groundbreaking step towards revolutionising the agricultural sector of the province. It provides a seamless way for farmers to access subsidies, avail interest-free loans, and benefits from other essential financial services. With digital integration, farmers can now easily apply for and benefit from the scheme, aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and farmer welfare.
This blog will provide an in-depth guide to availing the Kissan Card scheme, covering its objectives, application process, eligibility criteria, and more.
Overview
The Kissan Card program is designed to facilitate registered farmers in accessing a range of benefits, including government subsidies on fertilizers, interest-free loans, and financial aid for agricultural inputs. Farmers can use the Kissan Card to make transactions via ATMs and authorized agricultural dealer outlets. The initiative, managed by the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) and key financial institutions like the Bank of Punjab (BOP) and Habib Bank Limited (HBL), ensures transparency and ease in the financial transactions related to farming.
The program is aimed at helping farmers improve productivity, increase income, and access government schemes more efficiently. Farmers can register for the Kissan Card by sending their CNIC via SMS and completing the digital verification process.
Objectives
The Kissan Card scheme has three main objectives:
- Transparent Subsidy Distribution: To ensure that subsidies are distributed fairly and efficiently, reducing the risk of corruption and manual errors.
- Increased Agricultural Productivity: By providing interest-free loans for essential agricultural inputs such as fertilizers and seeds, the scheme aims to boost productivity.
- Improved Farmer Income: By minimising input costs and providing timely financial support, farmers can improve their crop yields and increase their earnings.
Scheme Components
- Farmer Registration: Farmers need to register online by sending their CNIC to 8070 via SMS with the message ‘PKC [space]’. This easy registration process is meant to allow 500,000 farmers to benefit from the scheme.
- Mobile SIM Verification: The mobile SIM used for registration must be registered in the farmer’s name under their CNIC. Furthermore, farmer’s land ownership must be recorded with the Punjab Land Record Authority (PLRA).
- Loan Facility: After registration, farmers are issued a Kissan Card by the Bank of Punjab. The program will initially support 500,000 farmers, offering a loan of up to PKR 150,000 per farmer for a maximum of 5 acres (PKR 30,000 per acre). The loan can only be used for purchasing agricultural inputs, ensuring that it directly supports crop production.
- Verification: The registration and land ownership details are verified through NADRA, PLRA, and PMD databases. The government ensures that no farmer who is in default with any financial institution can access the loan until their outstanding dues are cleared.
- Subsidies: The program includes subsidies on various fertilizers, including DAP, SSP, NP, NPKs, SOP, and MOP. In FY 2021-22, subsidies amounting to over PKR 10 billion has already been distributed to hundreds of thousands of farmers across Punjab.
- Promotions: To raise awareness, the government has launched promotional campaigns through television, newspapers, and roadshows to encourage farmers to participate in the Kissan Card program.
Eligibility Criteria for Farmers
To qualify for the Chief Minister Kissan Card scheme, farmers must meet the following criteria:
- Landholding: Farmers with landholdings between 1 acre to 12.5 acres are eligible.
- Mobile SIM: The farmer must have a mobile SIM registered in their name under their CNIC.
- Land Record Verification: Farmers’ landownership must be verified through the Punjab Land Record Authority (PLRA).
- No Financial Defaults: Farmers should not have any outstanding defaults with financial institutions.
Category-wise Total Cost
Farmers can receive up to PKR 30,000 per acre. The loan is intended to cover essential agricultural inputs such as fertilizers and seeds, which are critical for crop production.
How to Apply for the Kissan Card?
Farmers can easily apply for the Kissan Card by following these steps:
- SMS Registration: Send an SMS to 8070 with your CNIC number and the message format ‘PKC [space]’. This message will initiate your registration for the Kissan Card scheme.
- Create a Mobile Wallet: After registration, open a biometric-enabled mobile account at any HBL Konnect retailer. This mobile wallet will facilitate financial transactions for the scheme.
- Purchase the Kissan Token Bundle: Once the mobile account is created, purchase the Kissan Token Bundle for PKR 500.
- Verification: The system will verify the farmer’s CNIC, land ownership, and mobile SIM details through NADRA, PLRA, and PMD databases.
- Fill Out the Application: Visit your local Tehsil Office and complete the application process for the Kissan Card, submitting any required documents.
- Collect the Kissan Card: After verification, the Kissan Card will be issued and sent to your local agriculture office. You will receive a notification via SMS to collect the card from the Tehsil Office.
Conclusion
The Kissan Card scheme represents a significant step toward supporting Pakistan’s farmers by providing them with easy access to financial assistance, subsidies, and interest-free loans. Through a streamlined digital process, farmers can register, verify their land records, and receive the Kissan Card, which opens up new opportunities to enhance agricultural productivity. The initiative ensures transparency and fairness while helping farmers meet the growing challenges of the agricultural sector. Farmers across Punjab are encouraged to apply for the Kissan Card today and take full advantage of the program’s benefits for better crop yields and improved income.
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