From Subsidies to Solutions: The Promise of Kissan Card
Ghulam Ahmad, Pattern-in-Chief, APFDA
Pakistan is endowed with rich natural resources, among which agriculture stands as a cornerstone of its economic landscape. With the change in government, new oaths have been taken, and a government has also been formed in Punjab, with Maryam Nawaz becoming the Chief Minister of Punjab. The best part is that Punjab, being the largest agricultural producer in Pakistan, not only fulfills the country’s agricultural needs but also, due to its fertile lands, is capable of exporting. It’s a great prospect that the new government has shown keen interest in overseeing the welfare of farmers and agriculture in Pakistan. In this regard, the government has decided to take numerous steps for the betterment of farmers, such as replacing electricity with solar panels for tube wells and providing interest-free agricultural loans to small farmers.
These are significant initiatives, along with improving the transmission of agricultural inputs, which are included in the Chief Minister’s priority list. However, the most commendable step being taken is the issuance of farmer cards. Although farmer cards have been issued on a limited scale before, their broader implementation implies that farmers will be registered through them, and with the help of these cards, they will continue to benefit from various government schemes and initiatives. For obtaining subsidies on seeds and fertilizers, as well as accessing pesticides, seeds, and agricultural machinery, farmers will need to be registered. It would be much better to improve this system and make it transparent because, while farmer cards already exist, there has been a lot of ambiguity surrounding them. The most significant thing is to address the farmers’ grievances, as when the Punjab government started subsidies last time, farmers did not receive them. Moreover, stickers began to be sold in the market, leading to evident exploitation of farmers with their cards and stickers.
The most crucial aspect of these initiatives is that the farmer cards need to have implemented policies that address farmers’ grievances. Due to the farmer cards, it will be much easier to provide proper assistance to farmers across Pakistan. The best quality seeds can be subsidized through these cards, whether hybrid, imported, or local, allowing farmers to benefit from them. This can help fulfill our agricultural needs. For example, if the government decides not to import oil seeds, subsidies can be provided on a large scale for oil seeds, which can boost their cultivation and increase motivation. Moreover, it can also facilitate activities like cotton sowing. Through the assistance of the Agricultural Extension Department, areas suitable for oil seed cultivation and those where certain varieties yield better can be identified. Subsidies or assistance can be provided to registered farmers in these areas. This will not only bring transparency but also ensure that resources are allocated where they are most needed. Furthermore, with modern techniques being adopted worldwide, farmers can improve their practices with proper guidance and support, ultimately enhancing Pakistan’s agriculture sector.
Previously, various forms of subsidies have been provided for agriculture in Pakistan, such as reducing taxes or duties on inputs like gas for producing urea or sometimes reducing taxes on fertilizers. However, those who oppose it often claim that subsidies are becoming a burden and farmers are not benefiting from them. Therefore, farmer cards are an excellent means through which farmers can receive direct subsidies into their accounts. Once a farmer is registered, their bank account and land can be verified. If a farmer intends to sow wheat, they can receive subsidies according to government-defined policies.
These changes are expected to upgrade the entire system and make it better because the current systems have become outdated. Although there are no shortages in terms of the need for inputs, subsidies are being misused, so it’s crucial to address this issue immediately. The government’s initiative of farmer cards should be managed effectively, and instead of providing indirect subsidies, funds should be deposited into farmers’ accounts so they can purchase inputs according to their needs. This support for farmers is ultimately essential for supporting our economy. The Punjab government’s initiative of the farmer card should be welcomed, and we should register ourselves as proud supporters of the government. We request the Punjab government to also introduce a farmer-friendly app along with the farmer card, which includes all agricultural information for farmers.
This app should contain information about agricultural land and its analysis, prices of agricultural inputs locally and internationally, and the current and future prices of crops. This analysis and prediction will help farmers to manage their crop sizes effectively. It would be excellent if we could provide farmers with weather forecasts, in addition to this, information about the prices of agricultural inputs, crop prices within markets, and the prices of seeds, pesticides, fertilizer, and future demand and supply of crops can be shared. Furthermore, any complaints or grievances from farmers can also be addressed through the Kissan Dost App, and farmers can receive updates through this app. If there are any complaints, they can also be lodged through the app. We must support farmers by providing them with information and bringing them together so that they can contribute to the country’s progress. We firmly believe that if the Punjab government successfully implements this initiative with dedication, it can serve as a guiding light for other provinces as well. Farmers from other provinces can also benefit, not only in terms of national development but also in their personal progress. We fully support the Punjab government’s initiative and believe that it will bring significant improvements to Pakistan’s agriculture and farmers.
Published in NEWSMAN, Apr 03, 2024
