Top wheat growers rewarded

Minister addresses seminar on Kissan Card, pesticide residues

NAROWAL:

The Gujranwala Agricultural Extension Department organized a seminar on the significance of pesticide residues and the Kissan Card initiative in Narowal on Monday to raise awareness among farmers.

Punjab Transport Minister Bilal Akbar Chaudhry distributed cheques worth Rs300,000, Rs200,000 and Rs100,000 among the top three wheat producers of the ongoing year in the area.

Senior officials of the agricultural extension department attended the event along with other guests.

The provincial minister emphasised the critical role of agriculture in national development and underscored the importance of strengthening farmers for the advancement of the agriculture sector. He highlighted the initiative of the Punjab government to issue the Kissan Card to address the challenges faced by farmers.

The minister said Rs300 billion had been allocated for the Kissan Card scheme, which would benefit 500,000 farmers across the province.

The issuance of the cards has already commenced, and lists of fertilizer, pesticide and seed dealers have been provided to the Bank of Punjab for registration.

Registered farmers will receive interest-free loans of up to Rs150,000, repayable within six months. Minister Chaudhry expressed confidence that the initiatives would lead to prosperity and economic stability in the country.