Punjab’s Kissan Card drive hits 900,000 as Rs360b loans fuel farm revolution

• CM Maryam Nawaz says 900,000 Kissan Cards issued, one-million milestone to be achieved by Aug 31

• Says Rs360b in interest-free agricultural loans disbursed with 99pc recovery rate

• Approves Thal Transformation Programme, 10 Model Agri Malls and 10,000-acre citrus plantation

 LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Wednesday unveiled a fresh package of agriculture reforms, saying the province's flagship Kissan Card programme had reached a major milestone with 900,000 cards issued, Rs360 billion in interest-free agricultural loans disbursed and a 99 per cent recovery rate, while the target of one million Kissan Cards would be achieved by Aug 31 after enrolling another 50,000 farmers.

کسان خوشحال، پنجاب خوشحال!

وزیراعلیٰ پنجاب مریم نواز شریف کے کسان دوست وژن کے تحت زرعی شعبہ نئی بلندیوں کی جانب گامزن ہے۔ 10 لاکھ کسان کارڈز، 360 ارب روپے کے بلا سود قرضے، 24 ہزار گرین ٹریکٹرز، جدید زرعی مشینری اور تاریخی سبسڈی پیکجز کے ذریعے پنجاب میں زرعی انقلاب کی بنیاد… pic.twitter.com/JTDrK9HDom

— Government of Punjab (@GovtofPunjabPK) July 1, 2026

Chairing a high-level meeting of the Agriculture Department, the chief minister reviewed progress on the Kissan Card scheme, agricultural mechanisation, fertiliser supply, market demand and prices, besides approving a series of new initiatives aimed at modernising agriculture, strengthening water conservation and expanding farmer support across the province.

Officials briefed the meeting that interest-free agricultural loans worth Rs360 billion had so far been disbursed under the Kissan Card scheme, with an impressive 99 per cent recovery rate, reflecting strong participation by farmers. The meeting was informed that the landmark target of issuing one million Kissan Cards would be completed by Aug 31, 2026, after another 50,000 farmers are brought into the programme.

To strengthen extension services, the meeting decided to induct 1,500 more agriculture graduates in the next phase of the internship programme, creating additional opportunities for young professionals while improving technical support for farmers.

The chief minister also approved the design of 10 state-of-the-art Model Agri Malls, which will provide farmers with modern agricultural services, quality inputs and technical assistance under one roof.

In another major decision, CM Maryam approved the Thal Transformation Programme, which envisages the construction of 1,000 water storage ponds and irrigation schemes across the region. She also gave the go-ahead for planting orange orchards on 10,000 acres in underdeveloped areas of Thal to promote horticulture and improve rural livelihoods.

The meeting was informed that 280 advanced agricultural machines had already been provided to farmers under the mechanisation programme, while the government aims to distribute 2,000 modern agricultural machines by June 2027.

Reviewing the Green Tractor Scheme, officials said 24,000 tractors had already been delivered to farmers with a Rs1 million subsidy on each tractor. Under the programme's three phases, 34,000 green tractors are being distributed, while 41 per cent of beneficiaries are receiving a tractor for the first time in their lives.

The chief minister said no previous government had distributed tractors to farmers on such a scale, adding that 50,000 tractors would be provided over three years for the first time in Punjab's history.

She said the government's initiatives had genuinely empowered farmers, adding that the entire tractor distribution process had been fully computerised, eliminating human intervention and ensuring transparency.

Officials further informed the meeting that physical verification of 12,650 tractors had been completed, with 99.7 per cent found in the field. Notices had been issued to the allottees of 35 tractors that could not be traced during the verification exercise.

The meeting was also informed that nearly 80 per cent of the agricultural loans disbursed under the Kissan Card scheme had been utilised for purchasing fertilisers. Of the Rs116 billion allocated for Kharif crops, Rs62 billion had already been utilised, while 75 per cent of Kharif loans had specifically been spent on fertiliser purchases.

Officials said 3,000 agriculture graduates inducted under the internship programme were providing advisory services to farmers cultivating 12 million acres. Around 30 per cent of the graduates had secured permanent employment after completing the programme, while the overall placement rate stood at 50 per cent.

The meeting was further informed that water conservation initiatives were progressing rapidly. These include the provision of 1,000 laser land levellers, conversion of farmland to high-efficiency irrigation systems, construction of 1,200 additional watercourses, establishment of 1,000 recharge wells in central Punjab and installation of high-efficiency irrigation systems across 11,000 acres in the Thal region.

Officials said 2,400 acres out of the planned 4,000 acres under the Potohar Transformation Plan had already been prepared for cultivation, while 1,000 water storage ponds had been established in Potohar to conserve rainwater.

The meeting was also informed that 5,000 super seeders had already been distributed to farmers to curb crop residue burning and reduce smog. Another 7,000 machines will be distributed this year, increasing the total to 12,000 by October 2026.

Briefing the chief minister on fertiliser availability, officials said Pakistan remained fully self-sufficient in urea production and that fertiliser prices in Punjab had remained stable between Rs4,400 and Rs4,500 over the past two and a quarter years due to effective government oversight.

The meeting was further informed that international audit firm KPMG would submit its impact assessment report on the Kissan Card programme by Sept 30, while efforts would also be made to promote the initiative internationally.