Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced free tractors and land levellers for wheat farmers.
This was announced as part of the Punjab government's prize package worth billions of rupees in a major initiative to boost agricultural productivity and support wheat farmers,
Under the program, farmers cultivating wheat on land between 12.5 to 25 hectares will be eligible to receive 1,000 land levellers, while those with more than 25 acres of farmland will qualify for 1,000 green tractors for free.
These agricultural tools will be distributed through a lottery system to ensure a fair and transparent allocation process.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz emphasized that Punjab's farmers would not be left along and be fully supported. She called the farmers "our brothers" and assured them that the government would take all possible steps for their well-being. “We will fully support our farmers in Punjab. Their prosperity and the revival of agriculture is our top priority,” she stated.
In addition to equipment support, the government will provide farmers with interest-free quality seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides for wheat cultivation through the Kisan Card initiative.
"Record projects were started for farmers in a few months, of which there is no example in history," Maryam insisted.
She said farmers can call the agricultural helpline or visit the website and Facebook page concerned to avail the free tractor and land levellers scheme. Wheat farmers can also contact the extension office of the department concerned.
On October 28, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz launched the "Kisan Card" initiative in Hafizabad to directly support farmers by cutting out intermediaries and ensuring that benefits reach them directly.
Maryam explained that this scheme was initially intended to be introduced by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who was unable to attend the event due to international commitments. She underscored the government's dedication to creating policies that prioritize farmer welfare and address the impact of rising wheat prices.
"We were criticized for not purchasing wheat earlier, but supporting farmers’ profit margins has always been a top priority," she said.
Maryam also announced the "Green Tractor Scheme", for which she claimed 1.5 million applications had already been received. The program was meant to provide subsidies of up to Rs1 million on tractors worth around Rs4 million.
Additionally, the government allocated Rs10-15 billion to establish machinery hubs in each tehsil, allowing farmers to access equipment at affordable rates. To reduce energy costs, Maryam revealed plans to convert 7,000 tube wells currently running on diesel and petrol to solar power, a move aimed at lowering electricity expenses for farmers.
