Punjab’s Rs7 billion project aims to revolutionise farming in the Potohar region with subsidies and infrastructure. On Tuesday, August 26, 2025, Punjab’s Minister for Agriculture, Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani, launched a PKR 7 billion Agriculture Transformation Plan in Potohar to enhance farmer livelihoods. Initiated under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the project focuses on irrigation, land reclamation, and crop diversification to boost agricultural productivity.
Why This Matters in South Asia
The Potohar region, a vital agricultural zone in Punjab, supports Pakistan’s economy, which depends heavily on farming for food security and exports. Modernising agriculture here strengthens regional resilience, addressing water scarcity and climate challenges that impact South Asia’s agrarian communities.
Minister of Agriculture: Driving Potohar’s Agricultural Revival
On Tuesday, August 26, 2025, Punjab’s Minister for Agriculture, Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani, announced the Agriculture Transformation Plan during a meeting in Rawalpindi. Attended by key officials, including Secretary of Agriculture Iftikhar Ali Sahoo and Commissioner Rawalpindi Aamir Khattak, the initiative aims to transform farming across Potohar’s 2.5 million acres of cultivable land. The minister described the plan as a “landmark initiative” to uplift farmers through targeted support and infrastructure development.
The PKR 7 billion project, approved by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, prioritises sustainable farming practices in the rain-fed Potohar region, which faces challenges like water scarcity and soil degradation. The plan builds on existing schemes like the Kissan Card and Green Tractor Programme.
Here are the Key Features of the Agriculture Transformation Plan:
Enhancing Irrigation Systems
A PKR 4 billion component will provide solar systems, modern irrigation equipment, and laser land levellers at a 70% subsidy to improve water efficiency. The construction of 400 mini dams, funded at PKR 1 billion, will conserve water in Potohar’s arid landscape, mitigating the impact of irregular rainfall.
Land Reclamation and Crop Support
The plan allocates funds to reclaim 4,500 acres of land, offering farmers a PKR 77,000 per acre subsidy for bulldozer-assisted preparation. To boost groundnut production, 25,000 kilograms of high-quality peanut seeds will be distributed. Olive cultivation will expand across 3,625 acres with PKR 57,960 per acre in financial aid, complemented by cold press units for olive oil at a 50% subsidy.
Promoting Crop Diversification
To enhance farmer incomes and biodiversity, the government will supply plants for blackberry, fig, nectarine, avocado, pecan nut, and apple. Ginger cultivation will receive PKR 370 million, while PKR 500 million will fund fencing for 2,790 kanals of land to protect crops from wild animals, a persistent issue in Potohar.
Background
The Potohar region, covering Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, and Murree, is a key agricultural area, with wheat grown on over 1.5 million acres in 2025. Past initiatives, such as the Chief Minister’s Kissan Card, have supported farmers, but challenges like drought and soil erosion persist. The Agriculture Transformation Plan aims to address these through modern technology and sustainable practices, as noted in a February 2025 statement by Secretary of Agriculture Iftikhar Ali Sahoo.
What’s Next
A committee will oversee the plan’s implementation, with progress reviews set for September 2025. Farmers are expected to access subsidies and infrastructure upgrades by the next planting season. The Minister for Agriculture will continue to champion sustainable farming to ensure Potohar’s long-term agricultural prosperity.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, August 27th, 2025
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