Empowering the Poor: A Fight Against Poverty

M Atif Ismail

Multan: Abdul Hakeem, a farmer from Multan, tirelessly prepared his land for the upcoming wheat season, harboring hopes for a better yield and price.

His efforts were shadowed by last year’s bitter experience, where plummeting wheat prices caused significant financial losses. Like millions of small-scale farmers across Pakistan, Abdul Hakeem struggles against market forces and exploitative practices that leave him in economic despair.

“Year after year, we borrow inputs from commission agents, work relentlessly, and yet suffer due to low crop prices,” lamented Abdul Hakeem. “People call agriculture the backbone of the economy, but we, the backbone of this sector, are left in misery.”

With nearly 70% of Pakistan’s labor force tied to agriculture and livestock, the sector’s prosperity directly impacts the nation’s economic growth and poverty alleviation efforts.

Poverty remains a pervasive challenge, depriving millions of basic necessities like food, shelter, healthcare, and education, while perpetuating inequality and hindering progress.

To address this, the Punjab government has launched several initiatives, including the Kissan Card, enabling farmers to purchase agricultural inputs worth up to Rs 150,000 per season.

Rashid Sindhu, an official from the Agriculture Department, described it as a transformative measure: “The Kissan Card allows farmers to acquire necessary inputs at government-recommended prices, enhancing productivity and income.”

Farmers are also being empowered through subsidies on advanced farming equipment like super-seeders and laser levelers. For those with smaller plots, affordable access to equipment such as tractors ensures efficient farming with minimal investment.

The government’s focus on livestock development is another significant step toward poverty alleviation. The Livestock Card facilitates interest-free loans for animal feed and other essentials, enhancing livestock productivity and profitability.

Deputy Director Livestock Department, Dr. Jamshaid Akhtar, noted, “This initiative is crucial for small-scale farmers to ensure healthier livestock and higher market prices, improving the economic resilience of communities.”

Additional programs like Kissan Livestock Baithaks, school awareness campaigns, and affordable artificial insemination services are further empowering farmers. Widows and divorced women also benefit from free livestock distribution programs.

On a broader scale, the Prime Minister’s Youth Program has disbursed Rs 186 billion among 790,000 entrepreneurs, fostering business opportunities for youth across the country.

“We aim to increase female participation in entrepreneurship from 13% to 33%,” shared Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan.

Moreover, the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) provides financial assistance through 14 schemes, helping millions of vulnerable families sustain themselves amidst fluctuating incomes. “This program is a lifeline for families combating poverty,” emphasized social activist Naeem Iqbal.

While these initiatives hold promise, experts urge transparency and sustainability to ensure their long-term impact. As the provincial and federal governments strive to empower marginalized communities, the collective hope remains that such efforts will break the cycle of poverty, enabling future generations to prosper.

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