Punjab Launches ‘Apna Khet Apna Rozgar’ Scheme for Landless Farmers
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has inaugurated the “Apna Khet Apna Rozgar” initiative, a government program aimed at supporting landless farmers by providing access to state-owned agricultural land.
Under the scheme, approximately 121,000 acres of cultivable government land will be allotted to 30,000 eligible families through a long-term lease arrangement.
Four Acres of Land for Eligible Families
According to the provincial government, each selected family will receive four acres of agricultural land on lease for a nominal annual fee of Rs. 100.
The initiative is intended to promote agricultural development while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for families without farmland.
Financial Assistance for Cultivation
In addition to land allotment, each beneficiary family will receive Rs. 200,000 in financial assistance to help cover initial farming expenses, including the purchase of seeds, fertilizer, and other agricultural inputs.
Officials said the support package is designed to enable beneficiaries to begin cultivation without significant financial barriers.
Merit-Based Selection Process
Speaking during the computerized balloting ceremony in Lahore, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said the program received more than 60,000 applications, including over 11,000 submitted by women.
She stated that the selection process was conducted through computerized balloting and based entirely on merit to ensure transparency and fairness.
Land Possession to Begin This Month
According to the government, allotment letters will be issued to successful applicants within a week, while physical possession of the allocated land is expected to begin by July 31.
Provincial officials said the initiative is intended to improve rural livelihoods, increase agricultural productivity, and bring unused state-owned farmland into cultivation, contributing to the long-term development of Punjab’s agriculture sector.
