Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has launched the fourth phase of the Green Tractor Scheme through digital balloting. The provincial government has also opened applications for the fifth phase of the programme.

The Punjab government aims to provide 19,500 tractors to farmers during the current fiscal year. The scheme includes subsidies ranging from Rs750,000 to Rs1 million for eligible farmers.

The Phase IV balloting ceremony was held recently. During the event, the first tractor was allotted to Masood Khan, son of Lal Khan, from Attock. Maryam Nawaz also reviewed different tractor models available under the scheme.

The chief minister congratulated the successful applicants and highlighted the importance of agricultural support programmes. The initiative is designed to improve farming efficiency through better access to modern machinery.

Under the fourth phase, 10,000 tractors will be distributed among farmers. These tractors will have engine capacities between 50 and 65 horsepower. The Punjab government will provide a subsidy of Rs750,000 on each tractor.

The fifth phase of the Green Tractor Scheme has also been opened for applications. This phase will provide 9,500 high-powered tractors to farmers. The available tractors will range from 75 to 125 horsepower.

Farmers selected in Phase V will receive a subsidy of Rs1 million per tractor. The government has allocated Rs17.6 billion for the overall scheme.

According to officials, 24,000 tractors have already been provided to farmers under the programme. Each tractor was supported with a subsidy of Rs1 million.

More than 213,637 farmers submitted applications for the Green Tractor Scheme. After verification through the Punjab Land Records Authority and Nadra, 128,757 applicants were declared eligible for digital balloting.

Officials also shared details about Punjab’s agricultural mechanisation efforts. They stated that 10,000 tractors were provided to farmers during the previous 20 years.

In comparison, 35,000 tractors were distributed during Maryam Nawaz’s two-and-a-half-year tenure, according to the briefing. Officials added that spending on agricultural mechanisation increased from Rs3 billion over two decades to Rs20 billion during this period.

Punjab has also progressed in local tractor production. The province now has local manufacturing of 90-horsepower tractors. It has also started local assembly of 100-horsepower tractors.

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The government says the scheme will continue supporting farmers by improving access to agricultural machinery and promoting modern farming practices across Punjab.