Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has inaugurated the province’s first High-Tech Farm Mechanisation Financing Programme Portal, aimed at providing interest-free loans to farmers, service providers, and related companies to modernise agricultural practices. The initiative seeks to facilitate access to advanced farming equipment, supporting the adoption of innovative technologies and strengthening the overall efficiency of Punjab’s agriculture sector. During the launch, the provincial agriculture secretary briefed the chief minister about the programme’s framework, highlighting that loans of up to Rs30 million would be available for 12 types of high-tech machinery, accompanied by a six-month grace period and quarterly installments payable over five years.
Applicants, including farmers, service providers, and agricultural companies, can apply through the digital portal, ensuring a streamlined and transparent process. Officials noted that the scheme encompasses machinery from international manufacturers, with 27 companies from China, 10 from Turkiye, five from Italy, and additional manufacturers from Japan, the United States, Brazil, Spain, and Belarus. The equipment covered under the programme ranges from wheat combine harvesters, multi-crop and rice planters, nursery machines, rice harvesters, wheat straw balers, maize cob harvesters, and dryers to silage harvesters, orchard pruners, and air blast sprayers. Central pivots, high-power tractors, and modern irrigation systems are also included, providing comprehensive support for mechanised farming operations.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif expressed confidence that the programme would mark a significant step toward modernising Punjab’s agriculture, supporting productivity, and improving yields. She emphasised the government’s commitment to fostering technological adoption in the sector, ensuring farmers have access to the machinery needed to enhance efficiency and reduce labour-intensive practices. The initiative also highlights the provincial government’s focus on integrating digital platforms into traditional agriculture, allowing applicants to manage loan applications and approvals online, reflecting broader trends of digitisation in public services.
Meanwhile, Lahore Division Commissioner Marryam Khan directed local authorities to invoke Section 144 to prevent crop residue burning near motorways, a major contributor to seasonal smog. Officials were instructed to intensify efforts against environmental violations, civic negligence, and dengue risks during the smog season. In a separate review meeting, progress on anti-smog enforcement, anti-dengue operations, water filtration systems, and road infrastructure was discussed. Authorities reported that two brick kilns had been demolished and 14 cases filed against industrial units for violating anti-smog regulations. Additionally, 958 potholes were identified across Lahore, with repair work ongoing, and all 574 water filtration plants under the supervision of the Water and Sanitation Agency were reported fully operational.
The programme illustrates a dual approach by Punjab’s government: promoting high-tech mechanisation while simultaneously addressing environmental and public health concerns. By linking advanced farm machinery financing with digital application processes, Punjab positions itself as a leading province in supporting sustainable and technologically enhanced agriculture, aiming to boost productivity, reduce manual labour, and create a model for modern agricultural practices in Pakistan.
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