RAWALPINDI: A total of Rs2.3 million was distributed among farmers of Rawalpindi district who secured the top three positions in the ‘Wheat Yield Competition’.

The prizes were distributed at a ceremony held in Rawalpindi under the “Wheat Yield Competition 2024-25.”

The farmer who secured the first position was awarded Rs1 million, while the second position holder received Rs800,000. A prize of Rs500,000 was given to the farmer who secured the third position.

In Rawalpindi district, Faisal Mehboob, a farmer from Tehsil Kahuta, secured the first position with an average wheat yield of 48 maunds per acre.

The second position went to Chaudhry Abrar Ahmed from Tehsil Kallar Syedan, who achieved a wheat yield of 42 maunds per acre, while the third position was secured by Chaudhry Waqas Ahmed, also from Tehsil Kallar Syedan, with a yield of 39 maunds per acre.

The chief guest at the ceremony, Director Agriculture Extension Rawalpindi Division Syed Shahid Iftikhar Bukhari, along with Deputy Director Agriculture Extension Rawalpindi Sadia Bano, commended the farmers and presented them with cheques.

Speaking on the occasion, Syed Shahid Iftikhar Bukhari said that the Punjab government is taking several steps for the welfare of farmers. The wheat yield competition is also an important initiative by the Punjab government, aimed at promoting higher wheat production among farmers and encouraging them.

He added that applications for the Wheat Yield Competition 2024-25 were received from farmers and positions were awarded after scrutiny by tehsil, district and divisional committees.

He further informed that wheat was cultivated on an area of 1.57 million acres in the Rawalpindi division this year, which exceeded the set target.

“Now, in Kisan Card Phase 2, along with purchasing agricultural inputs, farmers can also buy diesel using 20 per cent of the amount and receive 30 per cent cashback to meet their agricultural needs,” he said.

In Rawalpindi division, 526 tractors were provided through a lottery at a subsidy of Rs1 million under the Chief Minister Punjab Green Tractors Programme. Additionally, 38 farmers are being provided with free tractors through balloting under the More Wheat Production Campaign.

The Punjab chief minister has announced a separate agriculture transformation plan for the Potohar region, which includes the construction of mini dams, land levelling, solar systems and high-efficiency irrigation systems.

Published in Dawn, June 23rd, 2025