The government of Punjab has announced to distribute 20,000 green tractors among the farmers.
Punjab Chief Minister (CM), Maryam Nawaz Sharif, has announced a significant expansion of the province’s agricultural mechanisation programme, setting a new era in the field of agriculture.
She promised to provide 20,000 green tractors to the farmers by next year.
Officials said that the initiative marks a shift towards modern farming methods aimed at increasing productivity and reducing cultivation costs across the province.
Under the Green Tractor Scheme, 9,500 high-powered tractors have already been provided with a subsidy of Rs 1 million per unit, while a further 10,000 tractors in the 50–65 horsepower range are being distributed with a subsidy of Rs 500,000 each.
In the next phase of the programme, the government plans to increase subsidies to Rs 1.5 million for high-horsepower tractors and Rs 750,000 for mid-range models.
The chief minister also announced an interest-free loan facility of up to Rs 300 million for the purchase of 12 types of high-tech agricultural machinery, aimed at improving access for farmers to modern equipment.
According to official data, nearly 200 combine harvesters have been provided to farmers so far, with 50 units used for the first time in wheat harvesting operations this season.
To address environmental concerns linked to crop residue burning, 5,000 super seeders have been distributed among rice farmers.
Officials said that these machines enabled wheat cultivation across approximately 1.4 million acres using environmentally friendly methods.
A further 5,000 super seeders will be distributed in the next phase of the programme.
CM Maryam Nawaz said the government’s focus is to equip farmers with modern technology, adding that mechanisation would help reduce production costs while increasing per-acre yield.
She said the use of super seeders had already contributed to a noticeable reduction in air pollution caused by crop burning.
The provincial government also plans to expand rental services for modern agricultural machinery to support small farmers who cannot afford to purchase equipment outright.
Read more: PTA launches 5G services in 22 cities across Pakistan
Flour price rises by Rs100 in Pakistan
The government of Pakistan has increased the price of flour by Rs100.
The new price of the 20-kilogramme (kg) flour bag has been set to Rs2,800, which is Rs100 higher than the previous price, which was Rs2,700.
According to the media reports, the 20kg flour bag in Karachi is being sold at Rs2,800.
In the capital of Pakistan, Islamabad, the flour bag of 20kg is being sold at Rs2,733, while in Rawalpindi, the new rate of the 20kg flour bag has been fixed at Rs2,707.
In Peshawar, the flour bag of 20kg is being sold at Rs2,750.
The shopkeepers of Quetta and Bannu are now selling the 20kg flour bag at the rate of Rs2,700.
Also read: Hania Amir saying ‘Phir se bolo’ in Asim Azhar’s new song sparks social media debate
