Punjab govt launches Phase-III of Green Tractor Programme, 10,000 tractors to be distributed

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Friday inaugurated Phase-III of the CM Green Tractor Programme and formally launched the distribution process through a draw.

During the ceremony, the chief minister congratulated successful applicants and personally telephoned several winners to inform them about their selection.

Provincial Minister for Agriculture Ashiq Hussain Kirmani briefed the chief minister that 427,000 farmers owning up to five acres of land had applied for the third phase of the scheme. He said that while 20,000 tractors were distributed over the past 25 years, 31,000 tractors had been provided in the last two years under the current initiative.

According to officials, two earlier phases of the programme have already delivered 21,000 tractors to farmers. In Phase-III, another 10,000 tractors with 50 to 65 horsepower capacity will be distributed.

The briefing highlighted that tractor prices in Pakistan have more than doubled over the past five years, making it difficult for small and medium farmers to purchase machinery at full cost. Punjab currently has around 140 tractors per 10,000 acres, a ratio lower than that in many other countries.

Officials said the programme aims to improve mechanisation in agriculture and support small farmers facing rising input costs.