In a major boost for Punjab’s agriculture sector, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif chaired a high-level meeting of the Agriculture Department, where officials announced that the provincial government is on track to achieve its historic target of issuing one million Kissan Cards by August 31, 2026.
According to the briefing, 900,000 Kissan Cards have already been issued, while an additional 50,000 farmers have recently been brought into the program, further expanding financial support for cultivators across the province.
Officials revealed that the Kissan Card initiative has so far facilitated the disbursement of Rs. 360 billion in interest-free agricultural loans, with an impressive 99 percent recovery rate. Nearly 80 percent of the financing has been utilized for the purchase of fertilizers, helping farmers improve crop productivity and reduce production costs.
For the ongoing Kharif season, farmers have already utilized Rs. 62 billion out of the Rs. 116 billion allocated under the scheme, reflecting strong participation in the government’s agricultural financing program.
The meeting also reviewed the progress of the Green Tractor Scheme, under which 24,000 tractors have already been distributed among farmers. The government plans to deliver a total of 34,000 tractors in three phases, with each tractor receiving a Rs. 1 million subsidy.
Officials highlighted that 41 percent of the beneficiaries are receiving a tractor for the first time in their lives, making the initiative a significant step toward empowering small and medium-scale farmers.
In another historic development, the government announced that 50,000 tractors will be provided over the next three years, marking the largest tractor distribution program in Punjab’s history. Authorities noted that the distribution process is fully computerized to ensure transparency, while field verification confirmed that 99.7 percent of the distributed tractors were physically present with their registered owners.
To further modernize agriculture, the provincial government has approved the establishment of 10 new Model Agri Malls across Punjab and plans to distribute 7,000 additional Super Seeders and 1,000 Laser Land Levelers. These initiatives aim to promote mechanized farming, improve water efficiency, enhance crop yields, and encourage the adoption of modern agricultural practices.
The comprehensive package reflects the Punjab government’s continued commitment to strengthening the agriculture sector, improving farmers’ livelihoods, and enhancing food security through technology, financial inclusion, and sustainable farming solutions.
