LAHORE  - The Punjab government has allocated an unprecedented Rs. 30 billion for the Chief Minister Green Tractor scheme, providing subsidies on tractors at a high scale previously unseen.  Under the programme, subsidies of Rs. 1 million per tractor have been extended to 9,500 farmers through a transparent balloting system.  These views was expressed by Agriculture & Livestock Minister Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani while attending the signing ceremony between tractor manufacturing industry and the Agriculture Department.

While addressing the ceremony, Minister Ashiq Hussain Kirmani highlighted that the initiative would strengthen agricultural mechanisation, enhance the trust of farmers in the local tractor industry. He stressed the need to focus on the local manufacturing of rice transplanters and harvesters and boost the production of tractors over 85HP locally to save foreign exchange spent on imports.

He further added that under the scheme, owners of 1 to 50 acres of agricultural land will have the option to choose 50-85HP tractors of their preference. The entire delivery process is digitized and ensuring transparency, he said and added that the quality of the Green Tractors will not be compromised, and international standards (SOPs) must be adhered to during manufacturing. Additionally, 1,000 tractors will be provided to wheat farmers under the ‘Grow More Wheat’ campaign.

Secretary Agriculture Punjab, Iftikhar Ali Sahoo, said that 9,400 allotment letters have already been issued, and the first phase of the Green Tractor Scheme will conclude by March 31, 2025. The scheme benefits not only farmers but also the tractor industry, which is expected to adhere to strict delivery timelines, he added.

The CEOs of the tractor manufacturing companies expressed their full support for the Chief Minister Punjab Green Tractor Scheme, acknowledging its positive impact on the local industry. The ceremony also witnessed the signing of agreements for tractor manufacturing, with Director General Agriculture (Extension) Ch. Abdul Hamid, CEOs of tractor companies and other senior officials in attendance. Prominent attendees included Special Secretary Agriculture Agha Nabeel Akhtar, Additional Secretary Agriculture Ijaz Munir, Captain (R) Waqas Rashid, Shabbir Ahmad Khan, DG Agriculture Ch. Abdul Hamid, Malik Muhammad Akram, Naveed Asmat Kahloon, and other senior officers.