LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has accorded approval for the inclusion of agriculture interns in the “Apna Khet, Apna Rozgar” programme. The CM chaired a special meeting held to review key reforms in the agriculture sector. During the meeting, the CM was briefed that export orders exceeding 500,000 tonnes have been secured for potato growers, bringing positive news for farmers. The CM approved increasing the monthly stipend of agriculture interns to Rs 70,000. The meeting decides to introduce a “Rooftop Hydroponic” project for the first time in Punjab. Under the initiative, 280 to 350 plants can be grown on a two-marla rooftop using polythene sheets and specially designed structures, enabling cultivation of more than 10 types of vegetables. The hydroponic system is expected to yield up to 32 times higher production. Ten pilot projects are being launched in Lahore, with plans to engage housing societies. The chief minister also approves the solarisation of 10,000 diesel tube wells and sets a target to distribute 28,000 super seeders by 2028. She is informed that 400 mini dams have been completed under the Potohar Development Programme. Under the “Transformation of Agriculture in Thal” initiative, 7 million acres of land are being made cultivable. She approves Phase IV of the CM Green Tractor Programme, announcing a subsidy of Rs1.5 million for high-horsepower tractors and directing that the subsidy for low-horsepower tractors be increased from Rs 500,000 to Rs 700,000. For the first time, it was decided to introduce an “On-Farm Rain Harvesting” project through the construction of ground recharge wells to channel rainwater into the aquifer. In Lahore, Gujranwala and Gujrat, Rs 500,000 subsidy is being provided for 1,000 ground recharge wells, while 70 percent subsidy is being given for 1,000 on-farm rain harvesting ponds. Record sales of Rs 462 million are achieved at Model Agriculture Malls in Multan, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur and Sargodha, with home delivery available within a 50-kilometre radius. Under the agriculture internship programme, direct outreach to 1.5 million farmers is carried out; 497 students secure private jobs while 102 start their own businesses through self-employment. The chief minister directs inclusion of more farmers in the Kisan Card scheme and expresses satisfaction over a 98 percent recovery rate. Under the CM Punjab High-Tech Mechanisation Programme, a target is set to provide 6,500 modern agricultural machines by 2028, including 500 wheat harvesters, 1,000 rice harvesters, 1,000 maize and silage harvesters, 2,000 transplanters and balers, and 2,000 high-horsepower tractors. So far, 7,100 agricultural tube wells are solarised across Punjab. Under the Potohar Development Programme, 4,500 acres of barren land are made cultivable and olive cultivation on 1,000 acres is completed. In the Thal area, 10,000 acres are being equipped with drip and sprinkler irrigation systems, and 1,500 tube wells are being solarised. One thousand gram sowing and harvesting machines are also being provided on subsidy. The meeting decides to repair 50 bulldozers through Heavy Industries Taxila, while the Punjab Agriculture Department is purchasing 50 new bulldozers. Under “Apna Khet, Apna Rozgar”, financial support of Rs 50,000 per acre is being provided, along with assistance for land development and water reservoirs. The wheat cultivation target of 16.5 million acres is achieved, and production of 22.30 million metric tonnes is expected. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026