Benazir Tractor Scheme Phase-II

10000 tractors on subsidized rates to be given to farmers

By: Yasir Ilyas

Ten thousand tractors on subsidized rated to be given to farmers soon in phase-II of Benazir Tractor Scheme (BTS) to empower them to modernize agricultural practices and increase productivity.

This was agreed in a meeting between Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture Nazar Muhammad Gondal and the President Zarie Taraqqayati Bank Limited (ZTBL) Mr. Muhammad Zaka Ashraf here on Thursday.

The federal government reportedly provided a subsidy of two billion rupees in first phase and similar amount is likely to be given as subsidy in the second phase. Government will give 10000 tractors in phase-II with a subsidy of Rs. 200,000 on each tractor.

The Minister urged the need for an early processing of delivery of tractors to the farmers. He asked ZTBL to invite applications for supply of tractors to farmers on subsidized rates,” said the minister.

Mr. Gondal said the government is committed to revolutionize agricultural sector by introducing modern farm machinery. Ten thousand tractors have already been delivered to the farmers and a similar number of tractors will be given in the phase-II. He said farmers would be given a free choice to select any brand of local/imported tractor and avail the scheme through the bank’s (ZTBL) loan or on cash payment.

The minister said manufacturing companies must be bound to give at least a two-year warranty for the tractors they produce. He said the model must be duly approved by a regulatory committee before finalizing it.

Zaka Ashraf said the bank would soon complete the procedures to launch the second phase of BTS. He said the bank would write to the Ministry of Finance to release cash for the scheme. He said ZTBL would facilitate the earliest launch of the scheme.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Tahir Anwar, DG Water Management, Ministry of Food and Agriculture (the ministry’s focal person on BTS) and other officials of the ministry and ZTBL.