In what could be called an innovative initiative, Prime Minister Imran Khan Monday launched Kissan cards for farmers of Punjab under which they will be provided subsidised agriculture inputs as well as loans.
Speaking on the occasion, the PM vowed to uplift the agriculture sector and boost economic conditions of farmers.
Indeed it is first time that such a pro-farmer initiative has been taken in contrast to mere lip service of previous governments.
Farmers undoubtedly are the backbone of agriculture sector and without extending facilities and incentives to them, this important sector of economy cannot be uplifted.
The initiative of Kissan cards will serve the purpose only if they are also distributed in transparent manner to small farmers who because of lack of resources often find it difficult to bring their land under cultivation.
It must be understood that farmers will only adopt latest techniques and technology if they have sufficient money in their pockets.
We therefore suggest that scope of these cards be expanded to the entire country as this will remove hurdles in the way of farmers to procure not only agriculture inputs such as seeds and fertilisers at subsidised rates but also machinery such as tractors.
The farmers should also be given interest free loans under this initiative, as it will encourage them to take loans and invest in their fields to get maximum output.
The present government also deserves appreciation for increasing support price of wheat and other crops that definitely have increased farmers’ income levels.
The support price of cash crops should be reviewed on annual basis so that farmers get suitable price for their produce.
This indeed will go a long way in making the country self reliant in all agriculture products and help save foreign exchange which is currently being spent on import of these items.
Recent rains and hailstorm have badly damaged wheat crop in certain areas. A damage assessment survey should be carried out and small farmers accordingly compensated.
