Farhan Qureshi 
In a bid to boost rural livelihoods and tackle poverty, Punjab has launched a revolutionary farm scheme. Maryam Nawaz launched the “Apna Khet Apna Rozgar” program, which aims to make labourers their own masters as farmers in Punjab.
What the Scheme Offers
Under the scheme, land worth almost Rs 160 billion will be awarded for farming. Punjab’s government is allocating more than 13,000 parcels of land – and thousands more are under allocation in Cholistan – to help more than 100,000 families.
The land is provided to farmers on a 10-year lease, and is valued at Rs 2.5 million to Rs 4 million per acre. The government also gives them a one-time development loan of Rs 50,000 to Rs 250,000 per acre to help them start farming.
Creating Rural Prosperity
This scheme is directly benefiting the landless labourers by putting the means of production into their hands; at the same time, rural households are able to grow and sell their own crops rather than working as farm labourers, creating livelihoods and empowerment.
The scheme also mobilises fallow land for farming, increasing food production and improving livelihoods through agricultural growth.
Easy Application Process
We have a transparent application process on our website. The programme is targeted at the poor with agricultural skills to take advantage of the opportunity.
A Step Forward for Pakistan
The “Apna Khet Apna Rozgar” program is an innovative project of rural development. Punjab is supporting small farmers to become agri-entrepreneurs by providing them with land and financial support.
This scheme reduces poverty and improves Pakistan’s agri-food security – and it is a good sign for sustainable and inclusive development.
