Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Monday approved a wheat support price of Rs. 5,000/acre for 600,000 farmers through the Kissan Card program, with farmers who don’t qualify for the Kissan Card to receive subsidies worth Rs. 5,000/acre.
Presiding over a special meeting on the agricultural sector, Nawaz was informed that the provincial government plans to provide a subsidy of billions of rupees to farmers for their next crop as well. The meeting also explored proposals to include land contractors, along with landowners, in the subsidy initiative and the ongoing solarization scheme for agricultural tube-wells.
The meeting was further informed that farmers have utilized Rs. 36 billion in subsidies to purchase agricultural inputs, with 60 percent of loans being issued through the Kissan Card for the purchase of agricultural inputs completed. Farmers have thus far returned loans of Rs. 22 billion obtained through the Kissan Card, with a second installment issued for the next crop.
The chief minister was informed that 50 percent of the applications received for the wheat support program have been verified.