Punjab launches interest-free loan scheme for high-tech farm machinery

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has launched Punjab's first High-Tech Farm Mechanisation Financing Programme Portal to support farmers, service providers and related companies in modernising the sector.

Briefing her about the programme, the provincial agriculture secretary said interest-free loans of up to Rs30 million would be available for 12 types of high-tech agricultural machinery.

A grace period of six months has been set for loan repayment, whose installments will be payable over a five-year period on a quarterly basis.

Farmers, service providers and agricultural companies may apply for the loans through the digital portal.

The chief minister expressed hope on the occasion that the farm mechanisation finance programme would mark the beginning of an agricultural revolution in Punjab. She said the government was committed to modernising Punjab's agriculture sector.

The chief minister was informed that the financing programme includes agricultural machinery from international manufacturers, including 27 companies from China, 10 from Turkiye, five from Italy and others from Japan, the United States, Brazil, Spain and Belarus.

Officials said the machines whose use would be supported with the lenient loans include wheat combine harvesters, multi-crop and rice planters, nursery machines, rice harvesters, wheat straw balers, maize cob harvesters and dryers, silage harvesters, orchard pruners and air blast sprayers. Central pivots, irrigation systems and high-power tractors are also covered under the programme.

Meanwhile, Lahore Division Commissioner Marryam Khan directed the local administration to invoke Section 144 to prevent crop residue burning in areas near motorways, one of the leading contributors to smog.

She directed the relevant departments to intensify efforts against environmental violations, civic negligence, and dengue risks during the smog season.

Chairing a meeting, the official reviewed progress on anti-smog enforcement, anti-dengue operations, water filtration systems, and infrastructure work.

District authorities reported that two brick kilns had been demolished and 14 cases registered against industrial units in the past two months for violating anti-smog guidelines. The commissioner reiterated that a ban remains in place on the use of substandard fuel, garbage and tyre burning, and other pollution-causing activities.

Officials said 958 potholes had been identified across Lahore, including unfinished road patches and manhole repair points, with repair work under way.

The Water and Sanitation Agency reported that all 574 water filtration plants under its supervision were functional.