Maryam announces Nawaz Sharif Kissan Card in Punjab
One more agri-adventure in Punjab. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved the “Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Kisan Card” project to facilitate farmers.
On Friday, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz endorsed the ‘Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Kisan Card Project’ with the goal of bolstering the agricultural sector and improving the socio-economic status of farmers in the province.
Chairing a meeting on agricultural reforms, she announced that the project would extend loans on favorable terms to 500,000 small farmers, totaling Rs 150 billion within a year.Additionally, farmers would receive Rs 30,000 per acre for purchasing seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides.
Furthermore, various subsidies would be available under the Nawaz Sharif Kisan Card scheme. The meeting resolved to establish model agricultural centers in collaboration with the private sector, providing modern machinery, training, and inputs. The CM sanctioned the establishment of modern agricultural centers in each district in the initial phase.
Maryam Nawaz instructed the agriculture department to compile data on crop production and demand, and approved the establishment of a cutting-edge center of excellence for wheat, rice, and cotton research.Administrative affairs of the center of excellence would be overseen by a board, and research centers would be affiliated with regional universities. Moreover, a Research and Development Center would be established at Agriculture University Faisalabad in partnership with China, costing Rs 2 billion.
Amendments to the Agriculture Pesticide Act and Fertilizer Control Act would be made to curb the sale of counterfeit products. The reorganization of Punjab Seed Corporation and Punjab Agricultural Research Board was reviewed, with plans to modernize the Agriculture Extension Wing and recruit 500 agricultural graduates.
Over two years, farmers would receive 24,800 pieces of modern equipment amounting to Rs 7 billion. Punjab Agriculture Minister Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani, Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, and other officials participated in the meeting.