Lahore:The Punjab government’s “Kissan Card” initiative, aimed at providing farmers with easy access to interest-free loans, will officially become operational on October 15, 2024.
As per details, farmers owning between 1 to 12.5 acres of agricultural land will be eligible for loans ranging from PKR 30,000 to PKR 100,000 to support their sowing needs. Punjab Minister for Agriculture Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani made the announcement while inaugurating the distribution of Kissan Cards to farmers approved by the banking sector in Faisalabad. He emphasised that this scheme will enable farmers to purchase seeds, fertilizers, and other essential inputs from 2,160 registered dealers across the province.
“This initiative, championed by the Chief Minister of Punjab, is a major step forward in agricultural development and will be a game-changer for the prosperity of our farmers,” the minister stated. Agriculture Secretary Iftikhar Ali Sahoo added that special teams have been formed for manual verification in areas lacking computerised systems to ensure smooth distribution. Messages have been sent to farmers in these regions, and 137 delivery centers have been established at the tehsil level for card distribution.
The Kissan Card will serve as a unique identifier for farmers, allowing them to access subsidies for various government schemes. Sahoo noted that the government is committed to supporting agricultural growth through targeted subsidies and financial aid. On the same occasion, the Minister highlighted the Chief Minister’s Green Tractor Scheme, which will see 9,500 tractors distributed to farmers through a transparent balloting system. The government has allocated Rs. 9.5 billion in subsidies for this program.
Following the Kissan Card distribution event, the Agriculture Minister and Secretary toured the Ayub Agricultural Research Institute in Faisalabad, where they reviewed ongoing research in wheat, rice, oilseeds, pulses, horticulture, and fodder. They expressed satisfaction with the institute’s progress.
Dr. Sajid Rehman, Chief Scientist at the Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, shared that the institute’s scientists have developed over 705 new varieties of crops, fruits, vegetables, and herbs through innovative research efforts. These advancements are expected to significantly enhance the agricultural output of the region.
