Punjab launches ‘Apna Khet, Apna Rozgar’ scheme for Cholistan
More than 16,000 families to receive farmland
According to the Bahawalpur commissioner, 83,000 acres of land will be distributed among eligible Cholistan residents in Bahawalpur.
More than 16,000 beneficiaries are expected to receive five acres each under the programme. The allocation is the largest under the initiative and is aimed at helping local families start agricultural activities and improve their livelihoods.
During a ceremony, allotment letters for five-acre agricultural plots were handed over to 25 successful applicants. The distribution marks the start of the implementation phase of the government’s land lease programme.
Thousands apply for land under scheme
The Cholistan Development Authority received 52,158 applications from people seeking land under the programme. Officials said the applications were reviewed and scrutinised before eligible beneficiaries were selected.
Following the scrutiny process, 27,647 applications were approved under the programme.
In the first phase, 10,290 eligible Cholistan families are being allotted agricultural land. The selection process is aimed at ensuring that eligible families receive land according to the scheme’s criteria.
Punjab allocates Rs4.25 billion for assistance
The Punjab government will also provide financial assistance to beneficiaries to help them make productive use of the leased land. Officials said the government, in collaboration with the Agriculture Department, has allocated Rs4.25 billion for the purpose.
Under the programme, farmers will receive Rs50,000 per acre to help prepare the land and begin cultivation. The financial support is expected to cover some of the initial costs related to land preparation, farming, and other agricultural activities.
The scheme aims to create income opportunities
The ‘Apna Khet, Apna Rozgar’ programme is designed to provide families with access to farmland while helping them develop new sources of income. For people living in Cholistan, access to agricultural land and financial support could create opportunities to improve household earnings.
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The scheme also aims to increase agricultural activity in an area where residents face difficult environmental and economic conditions. Officials expect the initiative to support local livelihoods and contribute to economic activity in the region.
Agriculture Department to support beneficiaries
The government’s assistance under the programme is not limited to land allocation. The financial package is intended to help beneficiaries meet some of the initial costs involved in preparing their plots and starting cultivation.
The involvement of the Agriculture Department could also provide institutional support to new farmers. Such assistance can be important because access to land alone may not be enough to establish productive farming activities.
What the scheme could mean for Cholistan
The land lease programme could bring significant changes to the livelihoods of thousands of families if the allocated land is successfully brought under cultivation. The combination of farmland and financial assistance allows beneficiaries to develop agricultural activities and generate income for their households.
The initiative could also encourage greater economic activity in communities connected to the allocated areas. However, the long-term success of the programme will depend on several factors, including access to water, farming facilities, technical support, and effective implementation.
