Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has launched a major agricultural initiative to support landless rural residents through farmland, financial assistance, and structured oversight.
The programme, introduced under the broader banner “Apni Zameen… Apni Mehnat, Apni Fasal… Apna Rozgar,” will see agricultural land worth approximately PKR 160 billion distributed among eligible applicants across the province. Officials say the scheme is designed to boost farm productivity while creating sustainable livelihoods in rural areas.
According to a briefing by Senior Member Board of Revenue Nabeel Javed, land selection will be based on key factors such as water availability and soil fertility to ensure viable cultivation.
A total of 13,812 agricultural plots have been identified across various districts, expected to benefit 88,780 families, while in the Cholistan region, 16,685 plots will be allocated to around 101,111 families.
Each successful applicant will receive agricultural land valued between PKR 2.5 million and PKR 4 million, along with a one-time development grant ranging from PKR 50,000 to PKR 250,000 per acre to support initial cultivation.
Under the scheme, unemployed rural farmers will be granted land on a 10-year lease, with clearly defined usage conditions. Authorities have identified 43,938 land units in districts and 83,425 in Cholistan, taking irrigation access and land quality into account.
Applications for the scheme will be accepted online from May 2 to May 18, with an appeals window scheduled from June 1 to June 8. The final list of successful applicants will be issued on June 19, and land distribution is set to begin from June 30.
In cases where multiple applicants apply for the same plot, allocation will be carried out through a balloting process. Officials clarified that the land must be used strictly for agricultural purposes, and permanent construction will not be permitted.
To ensure compliance and productivity, each plot will be monitored by an agriculture officer and an internee, while a committee comprising assistant commissioners and agriculture department officials will conduct biannual inspections.
Authorities added that farmers will have the flexibility to grow crops of their choice under the scheme, which is expected to contribute to increased agricultural output and improved rural incomes.
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