Lahore: The Punjab Agriculture Department is making significant strides in agricultural development, with major initiatives underway, including the construction of Model Agriculture Malls, a crackdown on illegal land encroachments, and enhanced financial support for farmers.
Punjab Agriculture Minister Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani, while presiding over a meeting at Agriculture House, reaffirmed the government’s zero-tolerance policy against illegal occupiers of agricultural land. He directed the Seed Corporation, Agricultural Universities in Faisalabad, Multan, and Rawalpindi, as well as other relevant departments, to submit reports on land encroachments under their jurisdiction.
The minister announced that the first Model Agriculture Mall in Sahiwal is set to be completed by April 15, with similar projects progressing swiftly in Multan, Bahawalpur, and Sargodha. These malls will serve as hubs for modern agricultural practices, providing farmers with access to high-quality seeds, fertilizers, and equipment.
Additionally, he revealed that the second phase of the Kisan Card program will extend financial support to small and medium-scale farmers, increasing per-acre loan limits. Meanwhile, under the Green Tractor Program, 9,000 tractors will be handed over to farmers by March 15.
Progress was also shared on the Solarisation of Agricultural Tube-Wells Program, with over 533,000 applications received. Of these, 385,128 applications have been verified, and 14,648 have been approved. So far, 7,911 successful farmers have been issued allotment letters.
Punjab Agriculture Secretary Iftikhar Ali Sahoo reiterated that the department is working closely with deputy commissioners to reclaim encroached lands, following clear directives from the Punjab Chief Minister. He also assured that the Chief Minister’s Farmer Package is being implemented as per the timeline.
These initiatives mark a major push towards agricultural modernization and sustainable development, ensuring better facilities and financial stability for farmers across Punjab.
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