Lahore: In an ambitious move to bolster agriculture, Punjab’s government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, projects a significant increase in rice production that is expected to boost exports by $1 billion, raising the total to $5 billion this year. This forecast was shared in a comprehensive briefing during a special meeting chaired by the Chief Minister, focusing on the widespread agricultural reforms and initiatives across the province.
According to Chief Minister of Punjab, “The initiatives include a 30% projected increase in wheat production and the implementation of mandatory wheat cultivation on underutilized government land.” Chief Minister Sharif emphasized the need for modern agricultural techniques and increased reliance on technology to elevate production levels. Additionally, the government has implemented supportive measures such as providing subsidized seeds and other inputs for wheat cultivation, and promoting the use of advanced machinery among local farmers.
Further details from the meeting highlighted the successful registration of over 1.1 million farmers for the Kisan Card, with more than 417,000 cards already printed and over 300,000 distributed to farmers. The briefing also noted the ongoing construction of four agricultural malls and the distribution of 737 Super Seeders at subsidized rates to enhance farming efficiency in Punjab.
The government’s commitment to agricultural development is also evident in the expansion of off-season tomato and onion cultivation, which now covers 1,762 acres, with an expected 10% increase in production. The CM Green Tractor Program has also seen substantial interest, with 1.5 million visits to the program portal and 10 million applications for 9,500 available tractors.