Manend Team 
MULTAN, (MANEND NEWS): Prime Minister Imran Khan says the
government’s historic initiative of Kisan Card will transform the
agriculture sector in Pakistan, making farmers prosperous.
Addressing Kisan Card distribution ceremony in Multan on Monday, PM
Imran Khan said the farmers, thorough this card, will get subsidized
fertilizers, seeds and pesticides besides low-interest loans and
compensation for damaged crops in case of any natural calamity.
The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the Kisan Card scheme
will bring about a revolution in the country by making the life of
farmers easy through use of technology, enhancing agricultural
production and saving foreign exchange. He said it will also contribute
to poverty reduction particularly in rural areas.
Imran Khan said the PTI government has been working on various
programmes for agricultural development in the country. He said a
300 billion transformation plan has already been announced for the
purpose.
The Prime Minister said in addition to two major dams, small dams are
also being constructed to ensure better water supply for crops. He said
the irrigation system is also being improved.
Imran Khan said agriculture has been made part of the CPEC project
for enhancing agricultural production through use of Chinese
technology. He said seed research institutions are being revamped,
and efforts are underway for local production of pulses, edible oil and
soybean.
The Prime Minister said farmers will be trained to increase the
agricultural production. He said forty billion rupees have been
allocated to increase production of milk in the country. For reducing
losses of vegetables, fruits and grains; storages and food processing
plants will be established.
Imran Khan said the government plans to take steps to considerably
enhance production of various agricultural products, including wheat,
rice, corn, pulses, fruits, vegetables and fisheries.
He said he himself will supervise the work on the plan aimed at
developing agriculture sector in the country.
Addressing the event, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Ahmed
Khan Buzdar said that, under pilot project of Kisan Card, farmers can
purchase seed, fertilizers and pesticides from the registered dealers on
subsidized rates.
The Chief Minister said farmers can also avail low-interest loans easily
and their crops would also be insured using this card. He said subsidy
is also being provided on agricultural machinery and solar system. He
said 30,000 service centers have been established across the province
where farmers will be facilitated for getting Kisan Card.
He said under this pilot project a subsidy of 17 billion rupees will be
provided to farmers in collaboration with the federal government. He
said the provision of direct subsidy to growers is aimed to ensure
transparency.
The Chief Minister said that eight thousand more land record centers
including 3000 in South Punjab are being established in the province.
Usman Buzdar said the government has started Agricultural
Emergency Program with allocation of 300 billion rupees and it is being
implemented on fast-track. He said Punjab government is providing
subsidy of 47 billion rupees on provision of agri-machinery.
He said Agri-policy has been launched in the province and works on
agricultural reforms is underway on fast-track.