Punjab Agriculture Minister Dr Farrukh Javed said that provincial government has taken lead in providing relief to farmers through Kissan Package. An amount of 40 billion rupees is being provided to compensate more than 12.5 million small farmers of the province. Rs 5000 per acre are being distributed among small farmers of wheat and cotton crop, he added.
Dr Farrukh said that 50 percent of the aid to the farmers in Punjab has been provided and the process will continue with complete transparency. He said that this package will play the role of oxygen for the farming community. The minister was talking to the delegation of farmers' representatives at his office here on Monday. Dr Farrukh Javed told the delegation that agriculture is the backbone of our country but we have not seen any such exemplary package for farming community in 67 years history of the country. He told the delegation that Punjab government has distributed 30,000 tractors among farmers and giving subsidy on solar tube-wells as well. He said that 150 billion rupees project of Punjab rural rod reforms is also underway on a fast pace.
He said that the present government is making all-out efforts to strengthen the agriculture sector and a number of agricultural policies were being followed for the betterment and welfare of the small farmers. He said that additional soft loan worth Rs 100 billion is being giving to small farmers under the package. He said that under the wheat campaign of Punjab government, winners of contest are getting 80 mounds. He further said that balanced usage of fertiliser will not only increase the productivity but also save billions of rupees. He called for ensuring the usage of modern agricultural tools in the field in order to ensure the food security for the people.