In a significant move to support the backbone of Punjab’s economy, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has approved an unprecedented Rs 100 billion package in interest-free loans for wheat farmers.
The initiative, announced during a high-level meeting in Lahore, is aimed at ensuring farmers are well-prepared for the upcoming wheat sowing season.
Maryam Nawaz kept on emphasizing that agriculture, especially wheat cultivation, is central to Punjab’s food security. “Our farmers should not have to opt between paying high costs for inputs and putting food on their own tables,” Maryum stressed. She directed officials to design a clear, farmer-friendly strategy to raise wheat yields while minimizing production costs.
The meeting also emphasized on ensuring the timely and sufficient supply of fertilizer, as shortages in the past have often forced farmers to buy at inflated prices. It is said that targeted subsidies will be provided to small-scale farmers, who have to encounter market fluctuations that hit them a lot.
Interest-Free Loans – A Relief from the Debt Trap
Farmers will receive interest-free loans before sowing commences, helping them so that they can cover immediate expenses for
- Seeds
- Fertilizers
- Machinery
By removing the burden of interest payments, the government hopes to free farmers from dependence on costly informal loans that often lead to further intensifying their debt.
Direct Impacts on Rural Communities
This financial support is anticipated to do more than just increase wheat output. Rural markets are anticipated to look a surge in activity as farmers spend on inputs, labor, and local services.
Read more: Wheat deregulation, free market policy and Rs 15 billion package approved for farmers
The initiative is also expected to stabilize wheat prices by increasing the supply limit, benefiting both producers and consumers.
A Commitment to the Farming Community
Maryam Nawaz again stated that the provincial government sees farmers as partners in Punjab’s progress. She kept on ensuring that every step—from subsidies to technical guidance—would be taken to ensure farmers feel supported, not abandoned. “If the farmer thrives, it means Punjab thrives,” she remarked.
This initiative is strongly depicting a serious push towards agricultural self-sufficiency and a more secure future for the province’s wheat growers.