According to a recent review by the Punjab Department of Agriculture, 530,000 farmers in the province have now received Kisan Cards. The initiative has led to a significant increase in the purchase of agricultural supplies, including fertilizers and pesticides. So far, farmers have spent a total of 35 billion rupees using the Kisan Card for essential agricultural products such as fertilizers, pesticides, seeds, and equipment.
Iftikhar Ali Sohoo, an official from the Agriculture Department, reported that 1.34 million farmers have registered for the card. The program has seen remarkable success, with a 50% rise in urea sales, amounting to 991,000 tons, a jump of 57.9%. Additionally, satellite monitoring of wheat sowing has now begun in the region, signaling further advancements in agricultural management.
The Agriculture Department spokesperson also revealed that the number of Kisan Cards issued has increased from 500,000 to 750,000. Over 1.28 million applications for the card have been received via the portal, with more than 361,000 cards already distributed. These cards allow farmers to make purchases of essential agricultural products, with 18 billion rupees spent so far.
Farmers can apply for the Punjab Kisan Card by sending an SMS with “PKC Space CNIC” from a SIM registered in their name to 8070. Once the application is processed, they will receive a confirmation message, advising them to visit the nearest Punjab Bank to collect their card. However, farmers who have loans from other banks or are defaulters are ineligible for the card.
To obtain the card, farmers must bring the following documents to Punjab Bank:
- A copy of the land ownership deed
- Original CNIC (Computerized National Identity Card)
- The SIM card used to send the application message
Upon biometric and personal verification, a Kisan Dost account will be opened, and the Punjab Kisan Card will be issued within five days. The card will then be activated by a bank officer or the process will be explained.
Farmers interested in applying for an interest-free loan from the Punjab government must do so through the Bank of Punjab. The loan amount will be transferred to their Kisan Card within three days, but can only be used for purchasing fertilizers, seeds, and pesticides from approved dealers. Withdrawals of the loan amount are not permitted.
