LAHORE: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has approved the inclusion of agriculture interns in the “Apna Khet, Apna Rozgar” programme.

Presiding over a meeting held here on Friday to review the key reforms in the agriculture sector, the CM also approved increasing the monthly stipend for agriculture interns to Rs70,000.

The CM was briefed that export orders exceeding 500,000 tonnes had been secured for potato growers.

The meeting decided 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 approved the solarisation of 10,000 diesel tube wells and set a target to distribute 28,000 super seeders among farmers by 2028.

She was informed that 400 ‘mini dams’ had been completed under the Potohar Development Programme.

Under the “Transformation of Agriculture in Thal” initiative, seven million acres of land are being made cultivable, she was told.

She approved Phase IV of the CM’s Green Tractor Programme, announcing a subsidy of Rs1.5 million for high-horsepower tractors and directed that the subsidy for low-horsepower tractors be increased from Rs500,000 to Rs700,000.

The meeting decided to introduce an “On-Farm Rain Harvesting” project through the construction of ground recharge wells to channel rainwater to aquifer.

In Lahore, Gujranwala and Gujrat, Rs500,000 subsidy is being provided for 1,000 ground recharge wells, while 70 per cent subsidy is being given for 1,000 on-farm rain harvesting ponds.

“Record sales of Rs462 million has been achieved at Model Agriculture Malls in Multan, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur and Sargodha, with home delivery available within a 50km radius. Under the agriculture internship programme, direct outreach to 1.5m farmers is ensured,” the meeting was told.

The chief minister directed inclusion of more farmers in the Kisan Card scheme and expressed satisfaction over a 98pc loan recovery rate.

Under the CM Punjab High-Tech Mechanisation Programme, 6,500 farmers will be provided 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.

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2026