LAHORE, Jan 17 (APP):Punjab Agriculture Minister Ashiq Hussain Kirmani has said that Punjab CM is taking measures on priority basis to promote agricultural mechanization across the province. He said this while presiding over the meeting held at agriculture house on Friday. The minister comprehensively reviewed the progress of key projects under the Chief Minister’s Kisan Package and early cotton sowing campaign. Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani said that under the second …
Punjab CM taking measures to promote agricultural mechanization
LAHORE, Jan 17 (APP):Punjab Agriculture Minister Ashiq Hussain Kirmani has said that Punjab CM is taking measures on priority basis to promote agricultural mechanization across the province.
He said this while presiding over the meeting held at agriculture house on Friday. The minister comprehensively reviewed the progress of key projects under the Chief Minister’s Kisan Package and early cotton sowing campaign.
Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani said that under the second phase of the Green Tractor Programme, farmers owning five acres or more land would be provided 65, 75 and 85 horsepower tractors at subsidy.
This programme, with a total cost of Rs 5 billion, would distribute 5,000 green tractors to farmers. He further highlighted that small-scale farmers would also be included in this phase.
The minister said that as per the chief minister’s vision, agricultural equipment and modern machinery worth Rs 60 billion would be provided to farmers on subsidy over the next three years. He further said that under this programme, advanced agricultural machinery including wheat harvesters, rice harvesters, maize dryers and 13 other types of machinery, would be made available to farmers through service providers in collaboration with banks and financial institutions.
Additionally, service providers would receive interest-free loans of up to Rs 55 million to facilitate farmers.
Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani also announced that under the Green Pakistan initiative, agricultural machinery would be offered on rent in collaboration with land information and management system.
Currently, 75% of the work on the agri-mall in Sahiwal had been completed, while progress in Sargodha, Multan, and Bahawalpur was ongoing as per timelines, he added.
He further said that the Chief Minister’s Kisan Card programme would be expanded.
The meeting also discussed promoting early cotton sowing in 12 districts of South Punjab. Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani emphasized implementing agro-ecological zoning to ensure a bumper cotton crop this year.
Punjab Agriculture Secretary Iftikhar Ali Sahoo and others attended the meeting.
