- Punjab has achieved over 50pc of its wheat cultivation target, officials say
- Sown area is 7.7pc higher than in the same period last year
- Line sowing covers 51pc of the area; certified seed use stands at 44pc
- Rs100bn in Kissan Card loans approved for one million farmers
Punjab's wheat campaign is running ahead of last year's pace. The provincial Agriculture Department says it has met more than half of the province's wheat cultivation target, and the area sown is up by 7.7pc on the corresponding period of last year.
The figures were presented in a briefing to Agriculture Minister Ashiq Kirmani in Lahore on Friday.
How the sowing campaign stands
Officials told the minister that 51pc of the total cultivated area had so far been sown through line sowing. Certified seed has been used on 44pc of the area.
The meeting also reviewed paddy harvesting, measures to prevent the burning of crop residue, and initiatives under the smog control programme.
| Scheme | Indicator | Figure |
|---|---|---|
| Kissan Card (phase five) | Loans approved | Rs100bn for 1 million farmers |
| Kissan Card (phase five) | Farmers given credit facilities | 818,000 |
| Kissan Card (phase five) | Loans utilised | Rs26bn |
| Green Tractor Programme (phase four) | Tractors distributed | 1,840 |
| Green Tractor Programme (phase five) | Tractors to be provided | 9,500 |
Minister's directions to field staff
Mr Kirmani directed that field formations must actively support farmers throughout the wheat cultivation campaign, so that the prescribed targets are achieved.
He also stressed that quality seeds and fertilisers must be available to farmers at notified prices.
Kissan Card loans
The meeting was told that, under the fifth phase of the Kissan Card scheme, agricultural loans worth Rs100 billion have been approved for one million farmers.
Of these farmers, 818,000 have already been given credit facilities. Loans amounting to Rs26bn have so far been utilised.
Green Tractor Programme
Under the fourth phase of the Green Tractor Programme, 1,840 tractors have been distributed. In the fifth phase, 9,500 locally manufactured and imported tractors will be provided.
A total of 305,000 applications had been received, and verification of 188,000 applications has been completed.
Under the fifth phase of the Green Tractor Programme, 9,500 locally manufactured and imported tractors will be provided to farmers, while the wheat cultivation campaign continues towards its prescribed targets.
Questions and answers
How much of Punjab's wheat target has been achieved?
The Punjab Agriculture Department says it has achieved more than 50pc of the province's wheat cultivation target, with the sown area up 7.7pc on the same period last year.
What share of wheat has been sown by line sowing?
Officials said 51pc of the total cultivated area had been sown through line sowing, while certified seed use stood at 44pc.
How many farmers have received Kissan Card credit?
Loans worth Rs100bn have been approved for one million farmers under the fifth phase, and 818,000 of them have been provided with credit facilities. Loans of Rs26bn have been utilised.
Image: Ahmed Ali / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
