RAWALPINDI: Tractors were distributed among farmers who grew more wheat under the Punjab Chief Minister’s Wheat Incentive Programme at a ceremony here on Saturday.
MNA belonging to ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Malik Abrar Ahmed was the chief guest at the ceremony which was held at the auditorium of Pir Mehr Ali Shah-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR).
The distribution ceremony featured a ballot draw, where successful farmers received tractors.
Speaking on the occasion, Malik Abrar said Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz believed in the welfare of farmers, terming the distribution of green tractors among farmers under the Wheat Support Programme an important step in this direction.
“This will not only encourage farmers but will also promote farm mechanisation,” said the MNA, adding the balloting process for green tractors was completed in a very transparent manner.
The MNA further said the Punjab chief minister had fulfilled all the promises made to the farmers. He said there was no example in history of the steps being taken by the chief minister for the farmers.
Mr Ahmed said earlier the chief minister had already provided 9,500 tractors across Punjab at a subsidy of Rs1 million. He urged the farmers to work hard and increase agricultural production.
Director Agriculture Extension Rawalpindi Division Syed Shahid Iftikhar Bukhari said these tractors were a gift from the Punjab chief minister for the farmers.
“Farmers purchased agricultural inputs on time by obtaining interest-free loans from the Punjab government through Kisan Card Phase 1 and benefited from them. Under Kisan Card Phase 1, the farmers of Rawalpindi division purchased agricultural inputs on interest-free loans worth Rs828 million and farmers repaid loans worth Rs827 million on time,” he said.
By repaying the loans on time, he said, the farmers had shown their interest in the projects initiated by the provincial government.
“The farmers have full confidence in the Punjab government and the Punjab Agriculture Department,” he claimed.
According to him, 38 green tractors were distributed among farmers in Rawalpindi Division. He further said the Department of Agriculture Extension was always active in guiding farmers and solving their problems.
Published in Dawn, July 27th, 2025