Punjab expands farm mechanisation with subsidised tractors
The Punjab government is accelerating efforts to modernise agriculture through subsidised tractors, interest-free loans, and advanced farming machinery. Officials say the initiative is helping farmers adopt modern techniques, reduce production costs, and improve crop yields.
Under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s Green Tractor Scheme, subsidies of Rs1,000,000 per tractor are being provided on 9,500 high-power tractors. In addition, 10,000 tractors ranging from 50 to 65 horsepower are being supplied to farmers with a subsidy of Rs500,000 per unit. The provincial government has also decided to expand the programme in the next fiscal year. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed authorities to provide 20,000 more Green Tractors to farmers across Punjab.
Under the upcoming phase, subsidies on high-power tractors will increase to Rs1,500,000 per unit. Meanwhile, tractors in the 50 to 65 horsepower category will receive subsidies of Rs750,000 per unit, providing significant financial relief to small and medium-sized farmers. In another major step, Punjab has introduced an interest-free loan scheme of up to Rs30,000,000 for the purchase of 12 categories of modern agricultural machinery. The programme aims to help farmers acquire advanced equipment through easy financing options.
Government officials said nearly 200 high-tech combined harvesters have already been obtained by farmers through interest-free financing. In addition, 50 modern combined harvesters were used for wheat harvesting for the first time, helping improve efficiency and reduce harvesting delays.
To tackle environmental pollution and discourage crop residue burning, the Punjab government distributed 5,000 Super Seeders among rice growers. The technology was used on 1.4 million acres of rice cultivation, delivering positive agricultural and environmental outcomes. The chief minister has also approved the second phase of the Super Seeder Scheme. Under the new phase, another 5,000 Super Seeders will be distributed to farmers to expand the use of modern farming technology.
Maryam Nawaz said the government’s goal is to modernise the agricultural sector and encourage farmers to adopt innovative farming practices. She added that increased mechanisation would help reduce production costs and significantly improve per-acre crop yields.
She further said the use of Super Seeder technology is helping reduce environmental pollution, while modern agricultural machinery has become essential for sustainable farming. The Punjab government is also supporting small farmers by providing access to advanced machinery on a rental basis, enabling them to benefit from modern technology despite limited resources.
