CM Maryam approves ‘Nawaz Sharif Kisan Card’. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has given her seal of approval for the implementation of the “Nawaz Sharif Kisan Card” initiative.
The decision has been taken following a special meeting convened to address agricultural concerns, chaired by the chief minister on Friday.
‘Nawaz Sharif Kisan Card’
Comprehensive Support for Farmers
During the meeting, it was disclosed that farmers across the province would receive substantial support through the provision of 24,800 units of cutting-edge agricultural machinery, totaling a considerable investment of 7 billion rupees over two years.
Maryam Nawaz’s Vision for Agricultural Advancement
Expressing her optimism regarding the initiative, Maryam Nawaz emphasized the importance of ensuring farmers’ access to authentic fertilizers and medicines.
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She highlighted the pivotal role of establishing model agricultural centers in each district during the initial phase, heralding a new era of agricultural advancement in Punjab.
Key Announcements and Financial Support
Among the pivotal announcements made during the meeting was the commitment to extend loans to 500,000 small-scale farmers, amounting to a significant sum of 150 billion rupees within a year.
These loans, set at a rate of 30,000 rupees per acre, are intended to facilitate the procurement of high-quality seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides.
Moreover, measures will be taken to amend existing legislation to clamp down on the sale of counterfeit agricultural inputs.
Empowering Farmers Through Subsidies
The Nawaz Sharif Kisan Card initiative is poised to offer various subsidies to farmers, while plans are underway to establish model agricultural centers across Punjab with active participation from the private sector.
These centers are envisioned to serve as hubs for cutting-edge research on genomics, germplasm resources, speed breeding, and climate change resilience.
Strengthening Agricultural Infrastructure and Research
In a bid to bolster agricultural infrastructure and research capabilities, the Punjab Seed Corporation and the Punjab Agriculture Research Board have been established.
Additionally, plans are in motion to establish a state-of-the-art research center worth Rs2 billion in Faisalabad, in collaboration with China.
Forward-looking Measures and Modernization Efforts
Efforts to prevent the conversion of agricultural land for residential purposes were discussed during the meeting.
Moreover, plans were outlined to modernize the Agricultural Extension Wing through the integration of new technologies and the recruitment of 500 agricultural graduates,
