Punjab Launches Kisan Card to Boost Farmers’ Productivity
In a significant move to support the agricultural sector, Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has inaugurated the registration process for the Kisan Card. The initiative aims to enhance productivity and prosperity for farmers through accessible financial assistance.
Key Features of the Kisan Card Program
- Annual Agricultural Loans: The Kisan Card will facilitate agricultural loans worth Rs 300 billion annually to farmers in Punjab.
- Beneficiary Criteria: The program targets 500,000 farmers owning up to 12.5 acres of agricultural land.
- Registration Requirements: To apply for the Kisan Card, land must be registered in the Land Record Center, and the applicant’s mobile SIM must be registered against their own ID card number.
Loan Details:
- Loan Amount: Farmers can obtain loans up to Rs 1.5 lakh per crop season.
- Purpose: The loans can be used to purchase fertilizers, seeds, and other agricultural inputs.
- Verification: NADRA will verify the identity of the farmers to ensure they are not defaulters of any financial institution.
- Repayment: Loans will be interest-free and repayable within 6 months. Once a loan is repaid, the farmer can apply for a new loan for the next crop cycle.
How to Apply
Farmers can register for the Kisan Card by sending a message with “PKC [Space] ID card number” to 8070 from their registered mobile number.
Statements from the Chief Minister:
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif emphasized the government’s commitment to increasing the productivity and prosperity of farmers:
“This initiative will empower farmers by providing them with easy access to necessary financial resources, thereby enabling them to invest in better agricultural inputs and practices.”
She added:
“The Kisan Card will simplify the process of obtaining agricultural loans and ensure that financial support is accessible to the grassroots level.”
The Kisan Card initiative represents a transformative approach to supporting small-scale farmers in Punjab, ensuring they have the financial tools necessary to improve their agricultural output and contribute to the region’s economic stability. This effort underscores the Punjab government’s dedication to bolstering the agricultural sector and improving the livelihoods of its farming community.