The Punjab Agriculture Department has received as many as 6100 applications from male and female agricultural graduates under the programme to lease out government land to the agricultural graduates. According to the break up, 5195 male agricultural graduates, 633 Veterinary graduates, 235 female agricultural graduates and 36 Veterinary female graduates had applied for the scheme announced by the Chief Minister Punjab, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif.
Under this scheme the provincial government had decided to give 72362 acres of land on lease to the agricultural graduates. This land would be allotted on a five years lease with possibility of extension in the lease for another five years term. This scheme has been designed by the government to increase per acre yield by adopting latest agricultural techniques and creating job opportunities for the agricultural graduates.
A spokesman of the agricultural department claimed that this scheme would resolve the employment problem of the agricultural graduates. This programme would give a new dimension to the agriculture extension system and it could be brought in line with the latest requirements.
He said that display of latest technology on these model farms would be beneficial for the farmers of the area and there would be a possibility to increase the per acre yield of fruits, vegetables and other important crops. 'It would help increasing the income of the growers thus initiating a new era of agricultural progress in the province,' the spokesman added.