A progressive farmer from Golra village in Attock district has secured second position across Punjab in the provincial wheat yield competition, earning a 75-horsepower tractor as a reward under the Punjab government’s agricultural incentive programme.
The announcement was made during a ceremony held in Golra village in honour of farmer Malik Shafiq Ahmed, who achieved a wheat yield of 69.970 maunds per acre in the competition organised by the Punjab Agriculture Department. Speaking as the chief guest, Dr Tariq Mukhtar, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture at the , said Punjab Chief Minister was giving unprecedented attention to the agriculture sector, resulting in increased agricultural growth and improved economic conditions for farmers.
The ceremony was also addressed by Rawalpindi Division Agriculture Director Syed Shahid Iftikhar Bukhari, Deputy Director Agriculture Extension Attock Dr Muhammad Javed, Assistant Director Agriculture Extension Attock Tehsil Sabir Hussain, and progressive farmer Malik Shafiq Ahmed. The event was hosted by Muhammad Azam Shah Hashmi of the Agriculture Extension Department.
During the ceremony, prizes were distributed among top-performing farmers. Malik Shafiq Ahmed of Golra received a 75-horsepower tractor for securing second position at the provincial level. At the district level, Asghar Khan of Qutab Bandi, Hazro, who recorded 59.79 heads per acre, received Rs1 million for first position. Bilal Hayat of Jalalia, Hazro, secured second position with 58.87 heads per acre and received Rs 800,000, while Syed Zaigham Abbas of Chontra, Jand, received Rs500,000 for third position after achieving 50.67 heads per acre.
The speakers said that the provision of tractors and modern agricultural machinery to farmers at subsidised rates reflected the chief minister’s commitment to strengthening the agriculture sector. They noted that a record allocation had been made for agriculture development in Punjab.
According to officials, wheat was cultivated on 1.543 million acres across Rawalpindi Division this year, an increase of 36,000 acres compared to the previous season. Average wheat yield also increased by four maunds per acre. The speakers said the objective of the wheat productivity competitions and incentive schemes was to encourage farmers to adopt modern farming techniques and improve per-acre production. They further stated that Punjab had successfully achieved its wheat production target of 22 million metric tonnes, while the area under wheat cultivation also increased. Farmers received prices higher than those fixed by the government, contributing to improved incomes and stronger economic conditions in rural areas. Officials claimed that the record wheat harvest generated business activity worth approximately Rs100 billion, significantly boosting profitability in the agriculture sector. Farmers and prominent landowners from across the region warmly welcomed the guests upon their arrival. The ceremony, held at a scenic location amid agricultural fields, featured flower garlands, bouquets and a large gathering of farmers.