LAHORE: A delegation from the Japanese company Kubota met with Iftikhar Ali Sahoo, the Additional Chief Secretary of Punjab, to explore potential collaboration in the agricultural sector. The discussions focused on modernizing agriculture and introducing advanced technologies to benefit farmers in the region.

According to Directorate General Public Relation – Govt of Punjab, the meeting underscored Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s vision to align Punjab’s agricultural sector with modern technological advancements. The provincial government is taking steps to assist farmers by providing interest-free loans for purchasing modern agricultural machinery. Additionally, the financing limit for agricultural machinery service providers has been increased to allow them to purchase multiple machines, which they can offer to farmers on a rental basis.

To further incentivize the adoption of environmentally friendly machinery, the government is offering a 30 percent subsidy on machinery rental charges. This measure aims to make advanced and eco-friendly agricultural technologies accessible to farmers. The Additional Chief Secretary noted that Kubota’s machinery, such as combine harvesters and rice transplanters, is already popular among farmers in Punjab and invited the company to establish manufacturing plants in the province. Local production would provide farmers with quality machinery at reduced costs, facilitating the adoption of modern technology.

Representatives from Kubota shared their success in other markets, highlighting the sale of over 23,000 combine harvesters in China and more than 2,100 units in Bangladesh. Iftikhar Ali Sahoo emphasized the importance of ensuring trained technical staff, timely repair services, and a steady supply of spare parts to maximize the benefits of the latest agricultural equipment for farmers.