ADB approves $381m in projects to boost agriculture, education, and health in Punjab

Investing in education, health, and farm mechanisation will drive Punjab's growth, says ADB Country Director

ISLAMABAD:

The Asian Development Bank has approved three projects amounting to $381 million to advance agriculture, education, and health services in Punjab Province, Pakistan.

The development projects aim at fostering economic growth in the provinc. “Investing in education, health, and agricultural mechanisation will play a transformative role in driving the growth of Punjab, a vital pillar of Pakistan’s economy," said ADB Country Director for Pakistan Emma Fan. "These strategic investments will modernise agriculture, enhance human capital, and significantly improve livelihoods for millions of people across Punjab.”

A $120 million concessional loan and $4 million grant have been allocated for the Punjab Climate-Resilient and Low-Carbon Agriculture Mechanisation Project to accelerate the province’s transition to modern, disaster-resilient, and low-carbon agriculture practices, benefiting 220,000 rural farm households.

The project will help mechanise farming and provide alternative livelihoods for agricultural workers while also boosting the knowledge and skills of 15,000 women. It will introduce a new financing model for farm mechanisation service providers to equip small-scale farmers with advanced machinery.

Punjab is the breadbasket of Pakistan, producing 75% of total wheat, 69% of rice, and 91% of maize. The province faces challenges due to its reliance on outdated machinery, which leads to significant grain losses. Additionally, farmers are often compelled to burn crop residues, a practice that worsens air pollution and poses serious health risks to the population.

To address these issues, the project promotes the adoption of modern agricultural mechanisation, such as rice harvesters. ADB has also approved $107 million for the responsive, ready, and resilient science, technology, engineering, and Mathematics Secondary Education in Punjab Programme. It includes a $7 million grant from ADB’s Asian Development Fund and a $100 million loan from ADB’s ordinary concessional capital resources.

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The project, implemented by the Punjab School Education Department, will enhance access to quality education for students across the province.

The ADB has also approved a $150 million concessional loan for the Punjab Nursing and Health Workforce Reform Programme to enhance nursing education, develop disaster-resilient training facilities, and strengthen health workforce in Punjab.

Pakistan faces a shortage of qualified nurses while the global demand for trained nurses grows. Modernising the nursing sector will meet national and international standards.

The results-based programme will focus on upgrading nursing curricula, expanding faculty development initiatives, and implementing a digital human resource management information system to align workforce planning with healthcare service needs.

By expanding the pool of qualified nurses, predominantly women, the programme will improve health service delivery across the province.

Key components of the nursing programme include the establishment of three centres of excellence in Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi. These centres will feature state-of-the-art simulation laboratories, digital learning platforms, and gender-responsive hostels, addressing Punjab’s demand for skilled healthcare workforce capable of meeting growing local needs and opening employment opportunities abroad.