Punjab Launches 10 Support Measures for Farmers Including Apna Kisan Bank

The Punjab government unveiled a comprehensive agricultural support package featuring ten new initiatives aimed at empowering farmers across the province. Central to the announcement is the introduction of the Apna Kisan Bank, alongside interest-free loans and enhanced financing schemes.

Financial Assistance and Loan Facilities

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif detailed the expansion of the Kisan Card program, increasing the loan limit from Rs30,000 to Rs33,500 per acre. Additionally, the government plans to offer interest-free loans up to Rs100 million, with subsidized rates for larger amounts—two percent interest for loans up to Rs300 million and five percent for amounts reaching Rs500 million. This financing support is part of an overall Rs17 billion subsidy fund intended to back agricultural development.

More than one million small-scale farmers currently benefit from the Kisan Card scheme, which features merit-based disbursement facilitated by digitalization, thereby limiting reliance on intermediaries. Loan recoveries maintain near-total compliance, and efforts are underway to include tenant farmers and leaseholders in the program.

Modernization and Mechanization Efforts

Highlighting Punjab’s role as a critical contributor—meeting roughly 70 percent of Pakistan’s food demand—the Chief Minister emphasized mechanization initiatives. Subsidies have helped distribute 25,000 tractors, with an additional 50,000 provided under the Green Tractor Scheme. To further boost high-tech farming capabilities, the government has allocated Rs70 billion for agricultural mechanization and plans to establish local harvester assembly and tractor manufacturing plants.

Agro-processing zones in Sargodha, Bhakkar, Khanewal, and Okara are being developed to offer facilities for grading, processing, and storage of fruits and vegetables. These parks aim to reduce post-harvest losses and enhance export potential.

Other Key Measures

The government will soon launch an online portal to streamline the wheat procurement process and implement the Apna Khet, Apna Rozgar initiative offering incentives for wheat cultivation. Support for innovative agriculture also includes deploying 1,500 agriculture interns with monthly stipends and introducing mobile soil and water-testing labs.

Irrigation infrastructure improvements are also prioritized, with the construction of 400 mini dams in the Potohar region and efforts to upgrade watercourses and combat theft. A notable addition is a special subsidy package for olive farming, coinciding with Pakistan’s recent elevation to permanent membership in the International Olive Council.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz encouraged farmers to avoid crop residue burning to combat smog. Punjab Agriculture Minister Ashiq Hussain Kirmani expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for prioritizing the agricultural sector and highlighted ongoing projects for value addition to enhance farmers’ incomes.

Why This Matters for Pakistan

Punjab’s ambitious strategy reflects the province’s vital role in the country’s food security and economic stability. By offering robust financial support and modernizing farming practices, these measures could bolster productivity, reduce losses, and stimulate export growth. For Pakistani farmers, these initiatives promise improved access to credit, technology, and infrastructure—critical factors for sustainable agriculture amid rising challenges such as climate change and market volatility.

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