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Lahore, A significant stride toward agricultural prosperity was marked today in Lahore with the launch of the Chief Minister Punjab Kisan Card. The registration ceremony was held at Agriculture House, attended by Punjab Agriculture Minister Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani and other dignitaries. This initiative forms a core part of the “Transforming Punjab Agriculture Programme,” a 400 billion rupee endeavor aimed at revolutionizing farming in the region.
According to Directorate General Public Relation – Govt of Punjab, Minister Kirmani highlighted the transformative potential of the program. He announced that registration for the Kisan Card, which commenced today, will provide farmers with access to interest-free agricultural loans totaling 300 billion rupees. The move seeks to alleviate the financial burdens on farmers by enabling direct access to critical farming resources, bypassing traditional middlemen.
More than 10,000 applications for the Kisan Card have already been submitted, reflecting the enthusiasm and need for such a program among Punjab’s farming community. The Kisan Card will facilitate up to 30,000 rupees per acre for a single crop, with a broader goal to expand both the scope and funding of the initiative.
Minister Kirmani further explained that owners of 1 to 12.5 acres of agricultural land are eligible for the scheme, which is being implemented in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and the Bank of Punjab. He emphasized the expected increase in crop yields per acre, owing to the timely availability of agricultural inputs facilitated by the card.
On a practical note, Punjab Agriculture Secretary Iftikhar Ali Sahu pointed out that the scheme would benefit 500,000 farmers. He underscored the simplicity and efficiency of the registration process, which adheres to a “First Come, First Served” basis and leverages modern technology to provide Kisan Cards through SMS alerts. Additionally, the card will ensure that farmers receive quality fertilizers and seeds at fixed prices.
As part of the broader integration with local services, the card will be supported by a network of 10,000 registered dealers across Punjab, allowing purchases through POS machines. This network will help eliminate the extra costs typically incurred from middlemen.
The ceremony concluded with Minister Kirmani awarding shields to the officers of the Agriculture Department and associated departments who played significant roles in developing the Kisan Card initiative.