| Lahore: The Punjab government has taken a major step to support the agriculture sector by introducing the Chief Minister’s Green Tractor Scheme, as reported on October 02.
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As per details, Provincial Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani announced that PKR 30 billion has been allocated for this groundbreaking initiative, aimed at providing affordable tractors to small-scale farmers.
Speaking at a meeting with representatives from the tractor industry at Agriculture House, Kirmani highlighted that this is the first time such a significant subsidy has been offered to farmers. The scheme will provide farmers with 1 to 50 acres of land the option to purchase tractors ranging from 50 to 85 horsepower, tailored to their specific needs, with a generous subsidy per unit.
The minister emphasised that the initiative aligns with the Chief Minister’s vision of bolstering local agriculture while encouraging the growth of the domestic tractor manufacturing industry. He also called on local manufacturers to offer an additional discount of 10 to 15 percent on each tractor, further easing the financial burden on farmers.
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The entire process, from application submission to tractor delivery, will be mechanised and conducted transparently. Farmers will have the freedom to choose their preferred tractor model, and all transactions will adhere to the Agriculture Department’s standardised procedures.
Punjab’s Secretary of Agriculture Iftikhar Ali Sahoo further added that this initiative would not only benefit farmers but also strengthen the local tractor industry. The CEO of Millat Tractors, Raheel Asghar, expressed industry support for the scheme, promising full cooperation and ensuring that the prices of tractors would remain fixed, even if federal taxes were increased. Moreover, the warranty period for these tractors would be extended, offering farmers greater peace of mind.
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This initiative is expected to boost both the agricultural and manufacturing sectors, empowering farmers with more affordable, high-quality equipment and fostering confidence in local products. |
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