In a big relief to rescue Pakistan’s agriculture sector, the Punjab government has announced a subsidy of Rs. 5000 per acre (600,000 wheat farmers across Punjab province). This program, started under the government’s Kisan package, is likely to benefit the cultivation of wheat on more than 4 million acres.

Subsidy For Farmers Announced By Government

“The Punjab Chief Minister, Maryam Nawaz, announced the investment to expose Pakistan’s farmers to the latest technologies in agriculture. It is a reflection of the government’s efforts to provide support to the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, its farmers. She said that this subsidy will not only relieve people from financial stress but also higher productivity in the next wheat season.

The financial aid will be released using the Punjab Kisan Card, a digital system aimed at maintaining transparency and dealing with middlemen. To be eligible for the subsidy, the farmers must be registered under the Punjab Land Records Authority and have a valid Kisan Card.

The agriculture staff have applauded the move, with the experts pointing out the fact that the increasing cost of input, especially fertiliser, fuel, and seed, has been squeezing the small-scale farmers to the brink. “This subsidy is a much-needed step to support the farmers to cope with the production costs and to continue wheat cultivation,” said Dr. Imran Ali, an agricultural economist at the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad.

The government also planned to avail of more support in the form of subsidized seeds and fertilizers with technical training and access to machinery under public public-private partnership.

Since wheat is Pakistan’s cash crop and food security is an emerging concern, the initiative is held to be a strategic step in stabilizing domestic wheat production and prices. The Punjab government has promised severe monitoring, so the funds will be delivered to the intended beneficiaries directly and without further delays or corruption.

This is one of the biggest farmer assistance packages in recent years and can be used to guide the future agricultural reforms in the entire country.