Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed authorities to immediately begin wheat procurement from farmers at Rs3,500 per 40kg across Punjab.
Chairing a high-level meeting in Lahore, the chief minister approved the decision in principle and instructed departments to prioritize wheat purchases from farmers registered under the Kisan Card scheme.
The government has made it mandatory to ensure payments to farmers within 72 hours of procurement, aiming to provide quick financial relief and improve transparency.
To oversee the process, Strategic Management Committees have been established at both provincial and divisional levels to monitor procurement and address issues efficiently.
Officials informed the meeting that around 900,000 farmers have been registered under the Kisan Card program, with loans worth Rs100 billion disbursed and a 99% recovery rate achieved.
The chief minister directed authorities to continue farmer registration to expand outreach.
Maryam Nawaz also announced the launch of the “Work with Punjab Government” program, offering internship opportunities to agriculture graduates and other youth.
The meeting highlighted progress under the Green Tractor Scheme, with a target of 30,000 tractors, of which 20,000 have already been delivered to farmers.
Officials noted that increased mechanization has boosted local agricultural industries, including harvester production in Duska.
The chief minister reaffirmed her commitment to protecting farmers’ interests, stating that the government is laying the foundation for sustainable agricultural growth and aims to bring a significant transformation in the sector.
