Lahore: A recent report has highlighted a substantial increase in the sales of fertilizers in Punjab, attributing the growth to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s agricultural policies. The review indicates a 57.9% surge in urea sales, reaching 991 thousand tons, facilitated by the Punjab government’s Kisan Card initiative.

According to a statement by Chief Minister of Punjab, the report also revealed a notable rise in the sales of other organic fertilizers, with a 42.9% increase overall. Specific upticks include a 50.7% rise in nitrogen use, a 9.3% increase in phosphate, and a 0.8% growth in potash. Additionally, the period saw a decrease in fertilizer prices, benefiting farmers further.

Chief Minister Sharif noted that four lakh farmers have utilized Kisan Cards to purchase agricultural inputs worth Rs 35 billion. The program aims to issue Kisan Cards to seven and a half lakh farmers, with five lakh and 30 thousand cards distributed so far. This initiative marks a significant effort towards agricultural development and improving the socio-economic status of farmers in Punjab.

The Chief Minister also announced the commencement of satellite monitoring for wheat sowing in the region. The initiative will verify wheat cultivation across one crore 61 lac acres through satellite imagery, comparing initial images with those taken during the harvest period.