RAWALPINDI: As many as 138 farmers of Rawalpindi district got tractors from Punjab government with a subsidy of Rs1 million per tractor.

A ceremony was held in Rawalpindi to distribute tractors to successful farmers through balloting under the Punjab’s Green Tractors Programme. The event was attended by MNA Tahira Aurangzeb, as the special guest.

On this occasion, Tahira Aurangzeb said that the Punjab government is utilising all resources for the development of agriculture. This programme will benefit not only the farmers but also the tractor industry.

She said that the Green Tractors Programme is an important step by the Punjab Chief Minister for the development of agriculture. The policies of the Punjab government for the development of agriculture have far-reaching results, she said.

“It was very difficult for the farming community to buy tractors, which has become very easy through the Green Tractors Programme.

She said that the development of the country is possible only by strengthening agriculture.

Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema said that the steps taken by the Punjab government will prove to be an important stepping stone towards the goal of agricultural development and prosperity. Steps are being taken on a priority basis to benefit the farmers from the schemes and programmes of the Punjab government, he said.

He said that the timelines of the Chief Minister Punjab Kisan Package are being implemented on a regular basis.

“Meetings of the Agriculture Advisory Committee are also being held on a monthly basis to review the performance of the Agriculture Department Rawalpindi,” he said.

Syed Shahid Iftikhar Bukhari, Director Agriculture (Extension), Rawalpindi Division, said that under the Green Tractors Programme, 9,500 green tractors were placed across Punjab and the quota of Rawalpindi Division was 526, out of which 138 green tractors were placed for Rawalpindi District.

Under this programme, farmers had the right to choose tractors ranging from 50 horsepower to 85 horsepower.

“These tractors have been given through digital lottery in a very transparent manner. 7,569 farmers in Rawalpindi submitted online applications and today tractors are being delivered to 138 farmers in Rawalpindi district,” he said. The ceremony of the Green Tractors Program was also attended by MPA of Rawalpindi District Raja Abdul Hanif, Mohsin Ayub Khan, Ziaullah Shah, Malik Iftikhar Ahmed and Raja Sagheer Ahmed.

Published in Dawn, December 13th, 2024