SAHIWAL: Around 600 small and medium-scale farmers in the Sahiwal division will receive agricultural machinery at 60 per cent subsidised rates and the Punjab government has allocated Rs360 million for the purpose.

A high level meeting held at the Commissioner Office was told this on Tuesday.

According to the agriculture department officials, 28 types of light and heavy agricultural machinery, divided into two categories, would be distributed among local farmers.

Agriculture Director Shahbaz Akhter told Dawn that under the first category, a subsidy of Rs500,000 would be provided per machine, while in the second category a subsidy amounting to Rs1 million per machine would be given.

Punjab govt allocates Rs360m for the purpose

Sahiwal Commissioner Dr Asif Tufail revealed that under the programme, the Punjab government would extend a total subsidy of Rs6.17 billion to more than 9,100 farmers across the province.

Sources informed Dawn that farmers will also be introduced to modern agricultural technologies to enhance farming practices.

COTTON: The early cotton crop (Ageeti) will be sown on 95,000 acres in Sahiwal division in 2026, said Punjab Agriculture Director General Chaudhry Abdul Hameed.

He shared this information while addressing cotton growers at a gathering organised by the local Agriculture Department (extension).

He said in order to facilitate farmers, a comprehensive campaign would be launched, providing on-the-spot guidance regarding seed selection, land preparation, pesticide use, and optimal sowing periods.

Chaudhry Saleem, a cotton farmer from Chak 11/7-L, said that the local extension department field staff would also assist growers in preparing potato and bean fields for cotton sowing, ensuring smooth transition and better crop management.

He said that cotton would be sowed largely in villages 71/5-L, 72/5-L, 64/5-L, 65/5-L and 81/5-L in Sahiwal district.

Published in Dawn, March 4th, 2026