Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Sunday announced the government will provide free-of-cost land to impoverished farmers from April under the “Apna Khet, Apna Rozgar” initiative, aiming to strengthen the province’s agricultural sector.
In a statement, she said the government plans to lease cultivable government land across Punjab to farmers for 10 years, with each beneficiary receiving up to five acres for free. She emphasized that the land would be entirely free, with no lease charges collected.
The chief minister said the government would also provide financial assistance in addition to the land allocation to help farmers expedite cultivation, with an ultimate goal of boosting agricultural productivity and supporting the rural economy.
Earlier this month, Nawaz had announced plans for the scheme, stating the government would allocate 250,000 acres of cultivatable land to deserving and underprivileged individuals.
Additionally, as part of the government’s plans to improve the agriculture sector, the Punjab chief minister has launched the CM Green Tractor Program Phase-III. According to Nawaz, her government has thus far provided 31,000 tractors in its two years in power.
She claimed the Green Tractor Scheme was transforming Punjab’s agricultural landscape, adding the provision of modern machinery would significantly enhance crop yields. She reaffirmed that the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) was committed to farmer-friendly policies and would continue to prioritize agricultural development.