The Punjab government has planned to extend subsidy of millions of rupees on approved varieties of cotton seed bags under the banner of Khadim-e-Punjab Kissan Package. The subsidy has been planned on the special directives of Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif. A spokesman of the Agriculture Department disclosed that under this subsidy scheme registered farmers of kissan package belonging to district Multan, Khanewal, Lodhran, Vehari, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, DG Khan, Layyah, Muzaffargarh and Rajanpur will get bags of approved varieties of cotton and after unsealing the bag they will get subsidy voucher of Rs 700 per cotton bag.

The spokesman further disclosed that this subsidy will be provided on approved varieties of cotton i.e IUB-2013, FH-142, FH- Lalazar and MNH-886. To be a part of this subsidy scheme, registered farmers will have to send SMS on 8070 by writing in the message CS0319CNIC Number. Farmers belonging to districts mentioned above will get a reply that they are eligible for this subsidy scheme. In this regard, registered farmers will have to send SMS till 15th March, 2018.

This subsidy voucher bag will be provided in the month of April 2018 which is recommended sowing season of cotton crop. The spokesman further said that farmers, who are yet not registered under Khadim-E-Punjab Kissan Package, are advised to contact Agriculture Helpline on 0800-15000 & 0800-29000 to get themselves registered. He said this initiative will prove a blessing in core area of cotton production.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2018