Lahore: In an effort to bolster local vegetable production and stabilize market prices, Chief Minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, announced a new initiative for the cultivation of onions and tomatoes on a corporate scale. During a special meeting held to transform agriculture in the region, the Chief Minister unveiled plans to cultivate these vegetables on 2000 acres using a subsidized corporate farming model that aims to ensure year-round availability and prevent price inflation.
According to Directorate General Public Relation – Govt of Punjab announcement issued on 22 September 2024, the initiative will group vegetable farmers in clusters of 5 to 10, providing them with subsidies for seeds, fertilizers, and advanced farming technologies such as drip irrigation and solar power. The Chief Minister emphasized that this strategic move would facilitate off-season cultivation, ensuring that onions and tomatoes are available locally in Punjab for six months without the risk of artificial price hikes.
The meeting also highlighted specific regions earmarked for this project, including off-season tomato cultivation in Kahrupka, Rahim Yar Khan, Vehari, and Rajanpur, and onion cultivation in Khushab, Chakwal, Pindi, and Jhelum. Additionally, a new agricultural machinery rental service was approved, which will offer tractors, harvesters, and other modern equipment to farmers on a No-Profit, No-Loss basis, further supporting the agricultural sector across the province.
The initiative is supported by a joint working group responsible for selecting over 67 locations for this project and coordinating the distribution of agricultural machinery. The Chief Minister also directed that wheat be sown on government land to maximize agricultural output.
The meeting was attended by Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Information and Culture Minister Azma Zahid Bukhari, Agriculture Minister Ashiq Hussain Kirmani, and other key officials, including Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman and Principal Secretary to CM Sajid Zafar Dal.