Punjab enters era of agricultural mechanisation

LAHORE: Punjab has entered an era of agricultural mechanisation owing to the initiatives undertaken by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, with modern farm machinery now reaching farmers across the province. Under the Green Tractor Scheme, a subsidy of one million rupees was provided on 9, 500 high-power tractors. In addition, 10, 000 tractors ranging from 50 to 65 horsepower are being supplied to farmers with a subsidy of Rs500, 000 each. The Chief Minister has also directed the provision of 20, 000 Green Tractors to farmers during the next fiscal year. Under the next phase of the scheme, a subsidy of Rs1. 5 million will be offered on high-horsepower tractors, while tractors with 50 to 65 horsepower will receive a subsidy of Rs750, 000. On the directions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Punjab has, for the first time, launched an interest-free loan scheme of up to Rs30 million for the purchase of 12 categories of high-tech agricultural machinery. Through the scheme, nearly 200 high-tech combined harvesters have been provided to farmers. For the first time, 50 high-tech combined harvesters are being deployed for wheat harvesting operations across the province. To curb the burning of rice residue and address environmental pollution, 5, 000 Super Seeders have been provided to rice growers. For the first time, rice cultivation on 1. 4 million acres has been completed using Super Seeder technology. Under the IInd phase of the Super Seeder Scheme, an additional 5, 000 Super Seeders are being distributed among rice farmers. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said that guiding farmers towards innovation and modern agricultural practices remained her firm commitment. She noted that agricultural mechanisation would not only reduce production costs but also significantly enhance crop yields. The Chief Minister observed that the use of Super Seeders was contributing to a visible reduction in environmental pollution and stressed that the adoption of modern agricultural machinery had become indispensable for farmers. She further stated that small-scale farmers in Punjab were also being facilitated through access to modern agricultural machinery on a rental basis. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

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