LAHORE, Apr 14 (APP):Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has announced the immediate commencement of wheat procurement at Rs3,500 per maund along with the provision of free gunny bags worth Rs6 billion for farmers across the province, terming it a major step towards strengthening the agricultural economy. Chairing a special meeting to review wheat procurement arrangements, distribution of gunny bags and progress on the Green Tractor Scheme, here on Tuesday, …
CM announces Rs3,500 per maund wheat procurement, free gunny bags for farmers
LAHORE, Apr 14 (APP):Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has announced the immediate commencement of wheat procurement at Rs3,500 per maund along with the provision of free gunny bags worth Rs6 billion for farmers across the province, terming it a major step towards strengthening the agricultural economy.
Chairing a special meeting to review wheat procurement arrangements, distribution of gunny bags and progress on the Green Tractor Scheme, here on Tuesday, the CM directed that procurement be initiated without any delay and decided in principle that priority would be given to farmers registered under the Kissan Card system.
She further instructed that payments to farmers must be ensured within 72 hours of procurement at the notified rate, while strategic management committees would be established at provincial and divisional levels to supervise the entire procurement process.
The meeting was informed that 88 per cent of farmers have expressed confidence in the provincial government’s agricultural initiatives.
The CM also announced the launch of the “Work with Punjab Government” programme under which agriculture graduates and other educated youth would be provided internship opportunities.
Officials briefed that Rs100 billion in loans had been disbursed through the Kissan Card, with a 99 per cent recovery rate, while nine lakh farmers have been registered under the scheme. The Chief Minister directed that the registration process be further accelerated.
It was further informed that under the Green Tractor Scheme, a target of 30,000 tractors had been set, out of which 20,000 have already been delivered to farmers, while local manufacturing, including harvesters, is also being promoted in collaboration with industry.
The CM reiterated that the government was fully committed to supporting farmers, adding that sustainable agricultural development was being ensured and that, by the grace of Allah Almighty, Punjab had witnessed a genuine agricultural revolution over the past two years.
