LAHORE (Dunya News) – Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz chaired an important meeting of the Agriculture Department to review the Kissan Card program and agricultural mechanization initiatives across the province.
The meeting was informed that 900,000 Kissan Cards have so far been issued in Punjab, while an additional 50,000 farmers have been included in the program, bringing the province closer to its target of one million beneficiaries.
A briefing during the meeting revealed that farmers have so far received Rs360 billion in interest-free loans, while the recovery rate of loans issued under the Chief Minister’s Kissan Card program has remained at 99 percent.
Officials said 80 percent of the disbursed loans were utilized by farmers for the purchase of fertilizers.
The meeting was further informed that Rs116 billion in loans were allocated for the Kharif crop season, of which Rs62 billion have already been utilized. Around 75 percent of Kharif loans were reportedly spent specifically on fertilizers.
It was also announced that international audit firm KPMG will submit its impact assessment report on the Kissan Card program by September 30, while the program will also be promoted internationally.
Addressing the meeting, Maryam Nawaz said the government has empowered farmers in real terms.
Officials further stated that 34,000 green tractors are being distributed across Punjab in three phases.
According to the briefing, 41 percent of farmers receiving tractors are getting one for the first time in their lives, while 20 percent have also purchased modern agricultural equipment along with tractors.
The meeting was also informed that 32 percent of beneficiaries are now providing services to other farmers as service providers.
Maryam Nawaz said that for the first time in Punjab’s history, 50,000 tractors will be distributed over three years, adding that no previous government had provided tractors to farmers on such a large scale.
She further said the entire tractor distribution process has been fully computerized, eliminating human intervention.