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The Nawaz Sharif Kisan Card is a significant initiative launched by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to support farmers in Punjab. This project aims to provide financial assistance and loans to farmers for agricultural purposes. Through this card, 500,000 small farmers will receive loans totaling Rs 150 billion annually, with each farmer eligible for loans up to Rs 30,000 per acre for purchasing high-quality seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides. The project includes the establishment of model agricultural centers across Punjab in collaboration with the private sector, offering modern agricultural machinery, training, pesticides, seeds, and model plots. The initiative involves legislative amendments to prevent the sale of counterfeit agricultural products and the modernization of the agricultural extension wing with advanced technology.
Features of Nawaz Sharif Kisan Card Scheme
The Nawaz Sharif Kisan Card Scheme, approved by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, encompasses several key features and benefits aimed at supporting farmers in Punjab:
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Access to Agricultural Credits
Farmers under this scheme will have access to agrarian credits, allowing them to secure loans for agricultural purposes.
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Model Agricultural Centers
The initiative includes the establishment of model agricultural centers across Punjab in collaboration with the private sector. These centers will offer modern agricultural machinery, training, pesticides, seeds, and model plots to enhance agricultural practices.
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Financial Assistance
Farmers holding the Kisan Card will receive financial relief, social protection, and targeted subsidies from the government. Additionally, the Punjab government will provide a 20% discount on inputs and fertilizers for farmers with Kisan cards.
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Interest-Free Loans
The Bank of Punjab will offer loans up to 20 lakhs to farmers enrolled in the Kisan Card scheme at a zero percent interest rate, totaling 469 billion rupees.
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Eligibility Criteria
Farmers with more than 4 acres of agricultural land, those who have never defaulted on loans, and those lacking capital for agricultural implements are eligible for the Kisan Card. Farmers already benefiting from the Kisan Relief Program will also be included in the scheme.
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Subsidies and Discounts
Farmers with Kisan Cards can avail themselves of a 50% discount on fertilizer sprays and other agricultural implements. Moreover, the scheme aims to waive loans for farmers and provide subsidies to alleviate financial burdens.
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Debt Relief
Farmers enrolled in the scheme will have their loans waived, and those with high debts will only need to repay half of the loan amount. The Bank of Punjab will offer loans up to 20 lakhs at a zero percent interest rate to farmers with Kisan cards.
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Comprehensive Assistance
The scheme offers comprehensive assistance to wheat cultivators and farmers across Punjab, ensuring social protection and targeted subsidies to enhance the well-being of farmers.
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Empowerment and Prosperity
The scheme aims to uplift the agricultural sector, foster growth, sustainability, and prosperity, empowering farmers and ensuring food security in Punjab.
The Distribution Process for the Nawaz Sharif Kisan Card Scheme
The distribution process for the Nawaz Sharif Kisan Card Scheme involves a straightforward registration process for farmers in Punjab to access financial assistance and loans for agricultural purposes.
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Registration Process
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- Farmers need to visit their local Nawaz Sharif Kisan Card office or designated branches of the Bank of Punjab with their land documents.
- Upon arrival, farmers will be provided with a form to complete, requiring basic personal information along with their land documents.
- After submitting the form, the farmer’s name will be enlisted, making them eligible for the program and granting access to the loan facility.
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Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for registration, individuals must have a clean criminal record and land ownership rights. Their poverty score should be at or below 50%, reflecting genuine financial need.
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Loan Amount
Eligible farmers can expect to receive a loan of Rs. 30,000/ acre, and this amount will be repayable in useful installments.
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Application Status
Farmers can inquire about the status of their application at the Nawaz Sharif Kisan Card office or through the Bank of Punjab where they registered.
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Distribution Channels
Farmers can apply for agricultural loans through specific channels established by the Punjab government.
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Model Agricultural Centers
Model agricultural centers will play a crucial role in the scheme, providing modern machinery, training facilities, agricultural inputs, and demonstration plots to facilitate technology adoption and skill development among farmers.
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Quality Control
Legislative amendments and stringent quality control measures will be implemented to prevent the sale of counterfeit agricultural inputs, safeguarding the interests of farmers and consumers.
