CM Kissan Package a blessing for farmers: minister

LAHORE : Punjab Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani chaired a high level meeting at Agriculture House on Tuesday.

The meeting provided a detailed review of progress on the Chief Minister Punjab’s Kissan Card, Green Tractor Programme, conversion of tube wells to solar energy, establishment of model agri-malls, and provision of super seeders. Secretary Agriculture Punjab Iftikhar Ali Sahoo also attended the meeting. The provincial minister emphasised that Kissan Card is a historic, farmer-friendly initiative by Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz. So far, applications from 14 lakh farmers have been received and the Bank of Punjab has approved 495,000 applications after scrutiny. Through the CM Kissan Card, agricultural inputs worth Rs21 billion have been purchased across the province. From tomorrow, farmers will also be able to withdraw 30 percent cash through the Kissan Card. The minister added that the Agriculture Department is closely monitoring the purchase process through Kissan Card, and to date, 94 percent of fertilizers have been purchased through it. Any dealers overcharging for agricultural inputs using the Kissan Card will face legal action. Farmers can contact Agricultural Helpline at 0800-17000 for any complaints regarding the Kissan Card. In the meeting, the minister directed a thorough monitoring of the procurement process via the Kissan Card, particularly for seeds, fertilizers, and agricultural medicines, to prevent artificial shortages or price hikes. Strict actions were ordered against any dealers found overcharging.

Under the CM Green Tractor Programme, allotment letters have been issued to 9,253 out of the 9,500 successful farmers. Farmers are required to deposit their share of payment at Bank of Punjab branches by December 5 to receive their tractors. The minister added that 65 percent of successful applicants in the programme’s balloting were small-scale farmers. In a briefing, the minister was informed that under the CM Solarisation of Tube Wells Programme, 8,000 electric and diesel-operated tube wells across the province will be converted to solar systems. Farmers who were unable to submit digital applications can visit the irrigation offices to apply. Punjab CM has approved Rs2.5 billion for this programme with quotas allocated at the district level and balloting to be conducted accordingly.

Under the CM Smog Control Programme, 984 super seeders have already been provided to farmers this year. Through the use of these super seeders, over 54,000 acres of paddy residue has been scientifically managed. By July 2025, an additional 4,000 super seeders will be provided to farmers to prevent the burning of paddy fields.