Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has inaugurated Punjab’s first High-Tech Farm Mechanisation Financing Programme Portal, a major initiative aimed at transforming the province’s agriculture sector. The programme will provide financial assistance to farmers, service providers, and agricultural companies to help them adopt modern farming technologies.
According to the provincial agriculture secretary, interest-free loans of up to Rs30 million will be offered for 12 categories of high-tech agricultural machinery. The loans come with a six-month grace period and can be repaid over five years in quarterly instalments. Farmers, service providers, and agri-based firms can apply for the financing through the new digital portal introduced by the Punjab government.
Punjab Chief Minister expressed optimism that this initiative would mark the beginning of an agricultural revolution in Punjab.
She reiterated her government’s commitment to modernising the agriculture sector and improving productivity through technology-driven solutions.
The financing programme includes machinery from global manufacturers — 27 companies from China, 10 from Turkiye, five from Italy, and others from Japan, the United States, Brazil, Spain, and Belarus. Supported equipment includes combine harvesters, multi-crop and rice planters, nursery machines, silage harvesters, wheat straw balers, maize cob dryers, orchard pruners, and irrigation systems, along with high-power tractors.
Meanwhile, Lahore Division Commissioner Marryam Khan has directed local authorities to enforce Section 144 to curb crop residue burning near motorways — a major contributor to smog. She instructed departments to strengthen actions against environmental violations, civic negligence, and dengue threats during the ongoing smog season.
During a review meeting, the commissioner was informed that two brick kilns were demolished and 14 cases registered against industries violating anti-smog regulations. She emphasized that bans remain in place on substandard fuel, tyre burning, and garbage incineration.
Officials also reported that 958 potholes had been identified across Lahore, with repair work underway, and confirmed that all 574 water filtration plants managed by WASA are fully functional — reflecting the government’s broader push for urban and environmental improvements alongside agricultural reforms.
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