KARACHI: The Sindh government has announced the issuance of Benazir Hari Cards to support farmers across the province, with the initiative being managed through Sindh Bank. The decision was formalized in a meeting chaired by Sindh Agriculture Minister Sardar Muhammad Bux Khan Mahar, which was attended by key officials including Agriculture Secretary Rafiq Ahmed Buriro, Project Director of the SWAT Project Liaquat Ali Bhutto, Director Generals, and representatives from Sindh Bank.
The meeting focused on briefing the provincial minister about the process and rollout of the Benazir Hari Cards, designed to provide targeted financial support and subsidies to farmers in Sindh. The government, in collaboration with Sindh Bank, has reached an agreement to implement this initiative, aiming to uplift the agricultural sector and provide much-needed assistance to the farming community.
Minister Sardar Muhammad Bux Khan Mahar announced that a formal launch ceremony for the Benazir Hari Cards would be held soon, marking the start of the distribution process. Initially, 298,000 registered farmers across the province will be the first recipients of the cards. The focus will be on small-scale farmers, specifically those owning up to 25 acres of land. This move is part of the government’s broader strategy to provide financial support and subsidies to the agricultural sector, enhancing the livelihoods of those directly involved in food production.
The Benazir Hari Cards will offer various benefits, including subsidies on essential agricultural inputs such as bardana (grain bags), seeds, fertilizers, urea, and pesticides. Additionally, the cards will serve as a financial safety net for farmers during natural disasters, ensuring they receive timely assistance to recover from unforeseen losses. The initiative is seen as a significant step towards bolstering the agricultural economy in Sindh, which is a major contributor to Pakistan’s overall agricultural output.
Minister Mahar also highlighted plans for the registration of an additional 1.4 million farmers, aiming to expand the reach of the Benazir Hari Card initiative. This expansion is intended to bring more farmers under the fold of government support, ensuring that the benefits of the program reach a larger segment of the farming community. The initiative is aligned with the Sindh government’s commitment to providing relief through its Kisan (Farmer) Card program, which aims to strengthen the agricultural sector by offering financial aid and resources directly to those in need.
Project Director Liaquat Ali Bhutto provided further details during the briefing, revealing that the Sindh government has allocated Rs 8 billion for the Benazir Hari Card initiative. This significant budget demonstrates the government’s dedication to supporting the agricultural community and ensuring the smooth implementation of the program through Sindh Bank.
The Benazir Hari Card initiative represents a strategic effort by the Sindh government to address the challenges faced by farmers, such as rising input costs and vulnerability to natural disasters. By partnering with Sindh Bank, the government aims to ensure the transparent and efficient distribution of financial aid, making it easier for farmers to access subsidies and other benefits. The program is expected to contribute to the overall well-being of farmers, helping them to sustain their livelihoods and boost agricultural productivity in the province.
As preparations for the launch of the Benazir Hari Cards are underway, the Sindh government’s efforts to support the agricultural sector come at a crucial time. With a focus on providing direct assistance to small-scale farmers, this initiative is expected to have a positive impact on rural economies and the broader agricultural landscape of Sindh. The successful implementation of this program could serve as a model for other provinces looking to strengthen their support systems for farmers and enhance the resilience of the agricultural sector against economic and environmental challenges.