Kissan card
The Kissan Card is a groundbreaking initiative to support farmers by providing easy access to various government schemes, including subsidies, loans, and insurance. Issued to registered farmers, the Kissan Card can be used at ATMs or for debit transactions at fertilizer dealer shops. The Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) offers comprehensive digital support, from registering farmers to maintaining a dedicated dashboard that handles subsidy requests. After opening a biometric-enabled mobile account, farmers can apply for the Kissan Card at any HBL Konnect retailer shop. Once the mobile account is successfully set up, the farmer can purchase the Kissan Card bundle for Rs. 500, and the card will be delivered to the local agriculture office within 15-20 days.
Objectives
The Kissan Card program aims to:
- Provide subsidies to farmers transparently and efficiently.
- Increase agricultural productivity and production.
- Enhance the income of farmers.
Outcomes
The Kissan Card program has achieved significant milestones:
- Over Rs. 10.865 billion in subsidies were distributed to 970,882 farmers through CNIC-based e-vouchers and Kissan Cards for DAP fertilizer during FY 2021-22.
- Rs. 219 million in subsidies were provided for other phosphate fertilizers (SSP, NP, NPKs) to 207,313 farmers, and Rs. 441 million for potash fertilizers (SOP and MOP) to 94,452 farmers.
- Continuous efforts are underway to increase the number of Kissan Cards issued for a complete transformation to this digital system.
- As of now, 848,105 farmers are registered under the Kissan Card program, with daily improvements.
- Currently, 2,200 HBL Konnect machines are operational in Punjab for retailer-initiated transactions.
- National campaigns, including TV, newspapers, TV talks, and roadshows, promote the Kissan Card with renewed vigor.
Key Processes
- Registration and Issuance
- Farmers register for the Kissan Card at HBL Konnect retailer shops by opening a biometric-enabled mobile account.
- Upon successful registration, farmers pay Rs. 500 for the Kissan Card bundle.
- The co-branded Kissan Card is delivered to the agriculture office and collected by the farmer after verification.
- Subsidy Distribution
- The Kissan Card facilitates the transparent distribution of subsidies directly to the farmers.
- Farmers can use the card at ATMs or for debit transactions at fertilizer dealer shops.
- Digital Support and Dashboard Management
- PITB maintains a dedicated dashboard to manage subsidy requests and ensure efficient processing.
- The dashboard provides real-time data and support for farmers.
Benefits
| Feature | Details |
| Subsidies | Direct access to subsidies for fertilizers and other essentials. |
| Convenience | Use at ATMs and fertilizer dealer shops. |
| Digital Support | PITB’s dedicated dashboard for managing subsidies and registrations. |
| Easy Registration | Register at any HBL Konnect retailer shop. |
Promotion and Awareness
- Campaigns: Ongoing promotional campaigns on TV, newspapers, TV talks, and roadshows.
- Outreach: National campaigns to increase awareness and uptake of the Kissan Card program.
Conclusion
The Kissan Card initiative marks a significant step towards empowering farmers through digital innovation. By offering easy access to subsidies, loans, and insurance, the program aims to enhance agricultural productivity and farmer incomes. With continuous improvements and widespread promotional efforts, the Kissan Card is set to revolutionize the agricultural sector in Punjab, ensuring that farmers receive the support they need transparently and efficiently.
Last Lines
As the Kissan Card program continues to grow, it promises to bring about a digital transformation in the agricultural sector, offering farmers unprecedented access to financial support and resources. This initiative stands as a testament to the power of digital innovation in driving sustainable agricultural development.