The Punjab government will spend Rs 35 billion over the next two years to promote agricultural mechanization in the province.     Under this programme, farmers and service providers will be offered interest-free agricultural loans of up to Rs 50 million through banks.The scheme intends to benefit small service providers who own two or three old agricultural machines, enabling them to acquire a new machines.   Minister for Agriculture & Livestock, Punjab, Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani disclosed the new program of investments to promote agricolture  mechanisation  in the popolous region.  all agricultural machinery dealers in Punjab will be registered, and in the second phase of the Kissan Card programme, small and medium-scale farmers with up to 25 acres of land will be included. The per-acre loan limit will be increased to Rs 40,000, and the processing fee per acre will be reduced to maximize farmers’ participation. A total of Rs 75 billion will be allocated for this scheme which will cover essential agricultural inputs such as fertilizers, seeds, pesticides, and diesel.     Meanwhile, under the  Punjab Green Tractor Programme Phase-1, out of 9,500 farmers selected through balloting, 8,300 have already received tractors, while the remaining will be handed over by March 31. For Green Tractor Phase-2, 9,500 tractors with 60-85 horsepower will be provided to farmers in the next fiscal year. (ICE ISLAMABAD)

Fonte notizia: business recorder