Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam Nawaz has launched a portal for the ‘Apna Khet, Apna Rozgar Scheme’, a major programme to give agricultural land to landless farmers.
The government aims to provide land, financial help and practical guidance through this scheme, making it one of the biggest rural livelihood projects in recent years. Maryam Nawaz formally opened the portal and started the project, under which the government will distribute agricultural land worth about Rs160 billion to farmers without land. Officials say the plan will create jobs through farming and increase the use of available land.
Apna Khet, Apna Rozgar programme
Under the scheme, the government has allocated 13,812 agricultural plots in different districts of Punjab, which will benefit around 88,780 families. In Cholistan, the project is even larger, with 16,685 plots expected to help 101,111 families. Overall, the scheme targets more than one lakh families.
Each selected farmer will receive agricultural land worth Rs2.5 million to Rs4 million. The government will also give a one-time resettlement grant between Rs50,000 and Rs250,000 per acre to help farmers settle and start cultivation.
The government will provide 124,000 acres to farmers
Officials say the government will provide more than 124,000 acres of land for 10 years. In one briefing, they said the total land measures 124,124.374 acres. They added that the government selected this land on the chief minister’s instructions, keeping water availability and soil quality in mind.
The scheme will allow farmers to use the land only for agriculture, and they will not be allowed to build permanent structures on it. Farmers can grow any crop they choose.
Deadline to apply for this programme
Eligible candidates can apply online from May 2 to 18. They can file appeals with the deputy commissioner from June 1 to 8. The government will release the final list on June 19 and start land distribution from June 30. If more than one person applies for the same plot, officials will allocate the land through a draw.
The government will assign an agriculture officer and an intern to each plot. A committee, including the assistant commissioner and agriculture department officials, will visit the land twice a year to review farming activities and ensure proper use of the land.
