Punjab’s Chief Minister, Maryam Nawaz, led a meeting to discuss agricultural reforms.
In this meeting, she approved the introduction of the ‘Nawaz Sharif Kisan Card’ for farmers. This program aims to provide subsidies and loans totaling Rs 150 billion to 500,000 small farmers in Punjab within a year, with each farmer eligible for a loan of Rs 30,000 per acre of agricultural land.
During the meeting, CM Maryam Nawaz outlined plans to establish model agriculture centers in every district in collaboration with the private sector. These centers will help farmers access genuine fertilizers and medicines.
Additionally, the Agriculture Department was instructed to collect comprehensive data on crop production and demand. The meeting also approved the establishment of a modern research center focusing on key crops like cotton, wheat, and rice.
Administrative affairs will be managed through a board, and efforts will be made to link the research center with regional universities. Plans also include upgrading the Agricultural Extension Wing with modern technology, recruiting 500 agricultural graduates, and proposing a law to prevent the misuse of agricultural land for residential purposes.