LAHORE: The Punjab government is considering inclusion of farmers owning upto25 acres oflandin the second phase of the Chief Minister Kisan Card scheme.

The proposal came under discussion in a meeting between Agriculture Minister Ashig Kirmani and Bank of Punjab President Zafar Masood held at the BoP Head Office here on Monday. The possibility of increasing the per-acre loan limit was also considered, with final approval to be given by the chief minister.

Mr Kirmani suggested that the beneficiary farmers should also be allowed to purchase diesel using the 30 per cent cash withdrawal facility provided through the Kisan Card.

He also emphasised the need toremove transaction charges on the purchases made through the card.

He sought introduction of a cotton crop insurance pilot project under the Kisan Card and forming a disaster crop insurance planfor otherkey crops.

He also stressed the need to obtain farmer`s willingness through SMS for the second phase of Kisan Card loan. So far, 535,000 cards have been approved for issuance.

A total budget of Rs54 billion has been approved for the scheme out of which Rs34.7bn have already been utilised, with 86pc spent on fertilizer purchases.

Under the mechanisation scheme, the BoP will provide high-tech farm machinery over the next three years at a totalcost of Rs50 billion. A farmer can receive interest-free loan up to Rs50m for purchasing farm machinery.

Farmers will have the option to buy both locally manufactured and imported agricultural machinery.

Minister Kirmani also highlighted the need to increase the number of rice and cotton farming machines.

The meeting also finalised arrangements for the upcoming Green Tractor Programme launching by the chief minister scheduled for this month.

Agriculture Secretary Iftikhar Ali Sahoo said the second phase of Kisan Card would commence on May 16, specifically targeting the Kharif crop season. Staff Reporter