Punjab govt announces interest-free loans of up to Rs30 million for small farmers

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced interest-free loans of up to Rs30 million for small farmers as part of the provincial government’s efforts to strengthen the agricultural sector.

As per reports, while addressing a delegation of farmers, Maryam Nawaz said farmers borrowing more than Rs30 million would pay 2 per cent interest. In comparison, loans of up to Rs50 million would carry 5 per cent interest.

She said more than one million people benefit from the Kisan Card programme, under which each farmer receives Rs150,000 in financial assistance before the sowing season.

Agricultural Interns to Be Recruited
The chief minister announced that 1,000 agricultural interns would be recruited this year to improve the delivery of agricultural services.

She also described agriculture as the backbone of the national economy and claimed that the provincial government had taken unprecedented measures for farmers’ welfare over the past two years.

Wheat Support Price Set at Rs4,500 per 40kg
Moreover, Maryam Nawaz directed officials to implement a support price of Rs4,500 per 40 kilogrammes for wheat procurement. She said Punjab was the country’s food basket, meeting around 70 per cent of its food requirements.

She also added that modern processing parks were being developed to improve the grading and storage of mangoes, kinnows, potatoes and other agricultural produce. The government had also taken steps to curb the black marketing of fertilisers and agricultural commodities, she said.

However, on water distribution, the chief minister said a strict crackdown on water theft was underway to ensure every farmer received a fair share of irrigation water.

She stressed that supplies should reach the tail ends of canals and that small farmers should not have to struggle to access their rightful share.

Punjab Kisan Bank to Become Operational Soon
Maryam Nawaz further said work on establishing the Punjab Kisan Bank was complete and the institution would become operational soon. The bank aims to improve farmers’ access to banking and financial services.

The announced loan terms and programme details were based on the chief minister’s statements; their formal implementation and eligibility conditions would depend on the relevant government notifications.