Punjab Announces ‘Kisan Bank’, Fixes Wheat Support Price at Rs4,500 per Maund

LAHORE: The Punjab government has announced the establishment of a ‘Kisan Bank’ to provide interest-free agricultural loans of up to Rs100 million to farmers, while fixing the wheat price at Rs4,500 per maund (40 kilogrammes) in the province.

The government has also increased the financial limit under the Kisan Card scheme to Rs33,500 per acre, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif announced while addressing a delegation of farmers’ representatives in Lahore.

She said the Punjab government had provided agricultural financing and financial resources worth Rs400 billion to farmers over the past two years through the Kisan Card scheme. According to the chief minister, around one million farmers across the province were benefiting from the programme.

Maryam Nawaz said her government was taking continuous and far-reaching measures to facilitate farmers and resolve their agricultural problems on a priority basis.

She said the Kisan Card had established a direct link between the provincial government and one million farmers, enabling them to benefit from a transparent system of agricultural support.

Government Highlights Agricultural Reforms

The chief minister claimed that since the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government came to power, black marketing of fertilisers, seeds and other essential agricultural inputs had been eliminated, with farmers receiving the required supplies at officially prescribed prices.

She said the provincial government had provided 25,000 tractors to support farmers and modernise agriculture. These tractors were being used for agricultural purposes in different districts of Punjab.

Maryam Nawaz added that a programme allowing farmers to obtain agricultural machinery on rent was also continuing, providing small-scale farmers access to modern equipment at affordable rates.

To promote scientific farming methods and improve guidance for farmers, the government had recruited 1,000 agricultural interns this year, she said. The interns were receiving a monthly stipend of Rs60,000.

Interest-Free Loans and Farmers’ Welfare

The chief minister said post-budget discussions had begun in the Punjab Assembly, with particular attention being given to the agricultural sector.

She reiterated that farmers should receive their rightful benefits conveniently and without unnecessary hurdles.

Maryam Nawaz said the government was committed to providing interest-free agricultural financing and supporting farmers during difficult circumstances. She expressed confidence in the province’s farming community and pledged that the government would stand alongside farmers whenever they faced challenges.

The proposed Kisan Bank, expansion of the Kisan Card scheme and the announced wheat price are part of the provincial government’s stated efforts to improve access to agricultural financing, reduce production costs and strengthen the farming sector.