Computerized balloting for green tractor scheme completes

Lahore: Under the Chief Minister Punjab’s Green Tractor Scheme 2012-13 for promoting mechanized agriculture in the province, the process of computerized balloting for extending Rs.2 lakh per tractor subsidy for provision of 10 thousand tractors to the young farmers in 36 districts of Punjab has been completed in a transparent manner.

Member National Assembly Malik Pervaiz inaugurated computerized balloting for provision of Green Tractors to the farmers of district Lahore at Alhamra Hall, here today. DCO Lahore Noor ul Ameen Mengal, EDO Agriculture Syed Zikriya Shah, officers of Agriculture Department, representatives of tractor manufacturing companies and a large number of farmers were present on the occasion. According to the detail, under the Green Tractor Scheme, 790 tractors have been earmarked for Lahore for which a total number of 1381 applications were received, out of which, 932 applications were received from Lahore Cantt for 376 tractors, while 449 applications were received for 414 tractors meant for the Lahore City. Computerized balloting was initiated in the presence of Member National Assembly and DCO under which 790 fortunate selectees would be provided tractors on subsidized rates. During the balloting, women farmers have also been provided tractors along with men farmers, which will promote mechanized agriculture in Punjab besides increasing agriculture production.

Addressing on the occasion, Malik Pervaiz said that during the last two years 20 thousand tractors have been made available to the small farmers under Green Tractor Scheme with Rs.2 lakh subsidy on every tractor, while overall subsidy of Rs.4 billion was extended to the farmers. He said that the Punjab government is continuing development projects aimed at progress and prosperity of farmers and the people of Punjab, and is working vigorously to increase per acre yield in Punjab by switching traditional agriculture to the mechanized agriculture by initiating such farmer-friendly policies as Green Tractor Scheme in order to meet the nutritional needs of the country, along with increasing the crop produce so that foreign exchange can be earned which is essential for the national progress and prosperity.