The Punjab government has established a wheat cultivation target of 16.5 million acres for the upcoming season. To protect the interests of farmers and improve national food security, Agriculture Minister Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani announced that the government has fixed the support price at Rs. 4,500 per maund.
During a review meeting at the Commissioner’s Office on Wednesday, Kirmani detailed several financial measures for the agricultural sector. He stated that Rs. 150 billion has been allocated under the Kissan Card program to assist farmers with purchasing agricultural inputs. Furthermore, he noted that Rs. 425 billion in interest-free loans has been disbursed over the last two and a half years.
The minister also highlighted the distribution of 45,000 tractors at subsidized rates through the Green Tractor Scheme. Additionally, the Punjab Seed Corporation provided a subsidy of Rs. 450 million on certified wheat seeds to promote the use of high-quality inputs.
Regarding specific regional targets, Secretary Agriculture Punjab Shakeel Ahmad Mian reported that the Lahore Division has been assigned a cultivation target of 1.35 million acres. This figure represents an increase of 50,000 acres compared to the previous year.
Minister Kirmani issued directives to field officers to ensure that approved 50 kilogram bags of wheat seed are sold at a fixed price of Rs. 7,000. He also ordered strict action against the theft of canal water, as well as hoarding, profiteering, and black marketing. These measures are intended to increase cultivation, support productivity, and protect farmers during the next growing season.
