CM Maryam rolls out sweeping agri reforms, boosts farmer incentives

• Punjab CM approves agriculture interns inclusion in Apna Khet, Apna Rozgar, raises stipend to Rs70,000

• Informed over 500,000 tonnes of potato export orders secured for growers

• CM pays glowing tribute to Armed Forces for Operation Ghazab Lil Haq

 LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Thursday approved the inclusion of agriculture interns in the Apna Khet, Apna Rozgar programme and presided over a special meeting to review wide-ranging reforms in the agriculture sector, according to a DGPR handout.

During the meeting, the chief minister was briefed that export orders exceeding 500,000 tonnes had been secured for potato growers, offering a major boost to farmers. She approved an increase in the monthly stipend for agriculture interns to Rs70,000, a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) on Friday said.

The meeting decided to introduce a “Rooftop Hydroponic” project for the first time in Punjab. Under the initiative, 280 to 350 plants can be grown on a two-marla rooftop using polythene sheets and specially designed structures, enabling cultivation of more than 10 types of vegetables. The hydroponic system is expected to deliver up to 32 times higher production. Ten pilot projects are being launched in Lahore, with plans to involve housing societies.

The chief minister approved the solarisation of 10,000 diesel tube wells and set a target to distribute 28,000 super seeders by 2028. She was informed that 400 mini dams had been completed under the Potohar Development Programme.

Under the Transformation of Agriculture in Thal initiative, 7 million acres of land are being brought under cultivation. The chief minister approved Phase IV of the CM Green Tractor Programme, announcing a Rs1.5 million subsidy for high-horsepower tractors and directing that the subsidy for low-horsepower tractors be increased from Rs500,000 to Rs700,000.

For the first time, the meeting also decided to introduce an “On-Farm Rain Harvesting” project through the construction of ground recharge wells to channel rainwater into aquifers. In Lahore, Gujranwala and Gujrat, a Rs500,000 subsidy is being provided for 1,000 ground recharge wells, while a 70 per cent subsidy is being extended for 1,000 on-farm rain harvesting ponds.

Record sales of Rs462 million were achieved at Model Agriculture Malls in Multan, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur and Sargodha, with home delivery available within a 50-kilometre radius. Under the agriculture internship programme, direct outreach was made to 1.5 million farmers; 497 students secured private-sector jobs, while 102 launched their own businesses through self-employment.

The chief minister directed that more farmers be included in the Kisan Card scheme and expressed satisfaction over a 98 per cent recovery rate. Under the CM Punjab High-Tech Mechanisation Programme, a target has been set to provide 6,500 modern agricultural machines by 2028, including 500 wheat harvesters, 1,000 rice harvesters, 1,000 maize and silage harvesters, 2,000 transplanters and balers, and 2,000 high-horsepower tractors.

So far, 7,100 agricultural tube wells have been solarised across Punjab. Under the Potohar Development Programme, 4,500 acres of barren land have been made cultivable, while olive cultivation on 1,000 acres has been completed. In the Thal region, 10,000 acres are being equipped with drip and sprinkler irrigation systems, 1,500 tube wells are being solarised, and 1,000 gram sowing and harvesting machines are being provided on subsidy.

The meeting further decided to repair 50 bulldozers through Heavy Industries Taxila, while the Punjab Agriculture Department will procure 50 new bulldozers.

Under Apna Khet, Apna Rozgar, financial assistance of Rs50,000 per acre is being provided, along with support for land development and water reservoirs. The wheat cultivation target of 16.5 million acres has been achieved, with production estimated at 22.30 million metric tonnes.

CM pays tribute to Armed Forces over Operation ‘Ghazab Lil Haq’

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz paid glowing tribute to the Pakistan Armed Forces for delivering a “swift and decisive” response to the enemy during Operation Ghazab Lil Haq.

She described the operation as a true reflection of the sentiments of the entire nation and lauded the armed forces for giving a befitting and forceful reply. She said any hostile eye cast towards Pakistan would be plucked out and any hand raised against the country would be broken, saluting the brave soldiers who, she said, had once again proven that Pakistan’s borders are impregnable.

The chief minister said the operation had sent a clear message to the Khawarij that Pakistan’s patience had reached its limit, adding that the country’s borders were like an iron wall and every misadventure would be crushed. She remarked that those responsible for the blood of the martyrs would be held accountable, asserting that Pakistan was, is and would always remain unconquerable.

 CM visits Sialkot to offer condolences

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz visited village Vario in Sialkot to offer condolences on the demise of the mother of Minister of State for Planning Armaghan Subhani and aunt of Chairman Punjab Land Records Authority Tariq Subhani.

The chief minister visited the bereaved family, expressed heartfelt sympathies, prayed for the elevation of the departed soul’s ranks and for patience and strength for the family, and offered Fateha for the deceased. Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Provincial Minister for Information and Culture Azma Zahid Bukhari, Provincial Minister for Labour and Human Resource Muhammad Mansha Ullah Butt, Minister for Local Government Mian Zeeshan Rafique, and members of the National and Provincial Assemblies were also present.