The Chief Minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz, has stated that the Kisan Card initiative is bringing a major positive transformation in the lives of farmers across the province, helping them achieve financial independence and freeing them from traditional dependency on middlemen and informal lenders.

In a recent statement, the Chief Minister said that for the first time in Punjab’s history, such a large-scale financial inclusion programme has been implemented for the agricultural community. She emphasized that the Kisan Card scheme is not only improving access to agricultural credit but is also reshaping the entire structure of rural financing and crop production support.

According to official figures shared by the provincial government, more than 832,000 farmers across Punjab have been issued Kisan Cards. Through these cards, farmers have collectively obtained loans worth approximately 2.54 billion rupees. These funds have been used primarily for purchasing agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and other essential farming materials required during the crop seasons.

Maryam Nawaz highlighted that during the wheat cultivation season alone, farmers in Punjab purchased agricultural inputs worth nearly 100 billion rupees. This reflects both the scale of agricultural activity in the province and the increasing role of formal financial systems in supporting it.

She further stated that out of 538,000 farmers who were eligible for repayment, around 67 billion rupees were recoverable under the programme. The government has reported an impressive recovery rate of 86 percent, which demonstrates strong participation and responsibility among farmers benefiting from the scheme. In addition, farmers have already repaid approximately 57 billion rupees in instalments, indicating a growing culture of financial discipline within the agricultural sector.

The Chief Minister added that under the Kisan Card system, farmers have been provided with 90 billion rupees specifically for inputs required for the upcoming Kharif crop season. Around 300,000 farmers have already utilized approximately 30 billion rupees through the Kisan Card to meet their agricultural needs. This ensures timely availability of resources, which is crucial for improving crop yield and maintaining food security in the province.

Maryam Nawaz stated that the core objective of the programme is to empower farmers economically and protect them from exploitative lending practices. She said that for decades, farmers in Punjab have depended on informal lenders and commission agents, often facing high interest rates and financial pressure. The Kisan Card system is designed to eliminate this dependency and create a transparent, government-backed credit mechanism.

She described the initiative as a step toward modernizing agriculture in Punjab. According to her, the use of digital financial tools in the agricultural sector will not only improve efficiency but also reduce corruption and leakages in subsidy distribution. By directly linking farmers to financial institutions and government support systems, the programme aims to ensure that assistance reaches the intended beneficiaries without delay or exploitation.

The Chief Minister also stressed that agricultural prosperity is central to Punjab’s economic development. Since a large portion of the population is directly or indirectly connected to farming, improving the financial stability of farmers has a ripple effect on the overall economy. Increased agricultural productivity leads to better food supply, higher exports, and improved rural livelihoods.

She reiterated her government’s commitment to supporting farmers through continued reforms. These include expanding credit access, improving irrigation systems, introducing modern farming techniques, and providing training on efficient resource use. The government is also working on additional digital solutions to further streamline agricultural support services.

Maryam Nawaz concluded that the vision behind the Kisan Card programme is to see Punjab’s farmers standing on their own feet, financially stable and confident. She expressed hope that with continued government support, farmers will no longer need to rely on traditional debt systems and will instead benefit from a structured, transparent, and sustainable agricultural economy.

The Punjab government believes that initiatives like the Kisan Card will play a key role in transforming rural livelihoods, boosting agricultural output, and ensuring long-term food security for the province and the country as a whole.