‘Wheat cultivated on 12m acres across Punjab’

LAHORE: Punjab Agriculture & Livestock Minister Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani presided over a meeting at Agriculture House, Lahore, to review progress on the wheat cultivation campaign and other major projects, including the Chief Minister’s Kissan Package. Secretary Agriculture, Punjab, Iftikhar Ali Sahoo, was also present.

During the briefing, the minister was informed that wheat cultivation has been completed on 12 million acres across Punjab. All resources are being mobilised to meet the wheat cultivation target. Fertilizer, including DAP are available in ample quantity across the province and accessible to farmers at controlled rates. Applications have been acquired from farmers sowing wheat on larger areas under the Chief Minister’s ‘Grow More Wheat’ Package, with an online application deadline of December 15, 2024. Additionally, strict monitoring is in place to ensure the availability of quality wheat seeds and fertilizers in markets.

It was briefed that 1,321,000 applications have been received for the Chief Minister’s Kissan Card, with verification completed for 500,000 farmers. Through this card, agricultural inputs worth Rs24 billion have been purchased across the province, with 92 per cent used for fertilizer purchases. The minister praised the CM’s Kissan Card as a historic, farmer-friendly project led by the CM, which allows farmers to withdraw up to 30 per cent cash.

Farmers in non-digitised areas can also apply for the Kissan Card, with the target number of card-holders increased from 500,000 to 750,000. The minister emphasised that due to the CM’s policies to promote wheat production, agricultural inputs are abundantly available, significantly reducing farmers’ production costs. The purchasing process through the Kissan Card is being monitored, with strict action against any dealer involved in overcharging. Farmers can contact Punjab Agriculture Department’s Agricultural Helpline at 0800-17000 for any complaints related to the Kissan Card. The minister directed to closely monitor the purchases made via the Kissan Card and stringent oversight against artificial shortage or price-hike of seeds, fertilizers, and agricultural pesticides.