Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Saturday launched the second phase of the Punjab High-Power Green Tractor Programme with a balloting of 9,500 tractors, personally calling successful applicants to congratulate them.

During the ceremony, the Secretary Agriculture briefed the chief minister, noting that landowners with seven acres or more are eligible for tractors ranging from 75 to 125 horsepower under the scheme, with the Punjab government providing a subsidy of Rs1 million on high-power models.

Under the Green Tractor Scheme, a total of 20,000 tractors will be subsidised, including 9,500 high-power tractors and 10,000 medium-power tractors. For the latter category (50–65 horsepower), a subsidy of Rs500,000 will be offered.

Officials said 734,000 farmers applied for the scheme, of which 282,000 were declared eligible for the draw.

Nearly 98% of applicants opted for locally manufactured tractors, while only 2% applied for larger imported models.

CM Maryam personally telephoned several winning farmers, including Mohammed Ashiq from Kasur, to inform them of their selection.

“Ki haal ae? Tusi tractor waste apply kita si. Tuhanu mubarakbad waste phone kita ae,” (How are you? You had applied for a tractor. I called to congratulate you), she said in a lighthearted exchange.

The first tractor under the draw was allotted to Raja Riffat Abbas from Attock, while Nuzhat Parveen and Mian Naseer were also among the early winners.

The chief minister said the program reflects her government’s commitment to empowering farmers and modernising Punjab’s agriculture sector with value-for-money initiatives.