Punjab Government Announces Rs20,000 per Acre Compensation for Farmers 2025
The Punjab government has announced an important relief measure for farmers affected by recent rains and floods. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz approved a financial assistance package of Rs20,000 per acre to compensate for crop losses across the province. The initiative aims to provide financial support to farmers whose livelihoods have been impacted by the adverse weather conditions and floods triggered by heavy rains and water inflow from India.
Government’s Commitment to Farmers’ Welfare
Punjab Agriculture Secretary Iftikhar Ali Sahoo, while chairing a meeting in Multan, highlighted that nearly 2,000 survey teams have been mobilized to assess flood-related crop damages. These surveys are being conducted under the supervision of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) to ensure transparency and accuracy in identifying affected areas. The Secretary reaffirmed the government’s dedication to protecting the agricultural community, noting that farmers play a vital role in sustaining the province’s economy.
The financial package, approved by the Chief Minister, demonstrates the government’s recognition of the agricultural sector’s challenges. Punjab, being Pakistan’s agricultural heartland, contributes significantly to national food security. Therefore, this support is crucial to help farmers recover from the financial setbacks caused by the floods and resume cultivation in the upcoming sowing season.
Financial Support and Relief Mechanism
The relief package offers Rs20,000 per acre compensation for crop damages. Additionally, farmers affected by floods can immediately receive Rs50,000 after verification through the newly issued relief cards. The Bank of Punjab will establish help desks and counters in each tehsil to facilitate transparent and convenient fund disbursement.
The PDMA Director General, Irfan Ali Kathia, confirmed that over 2,213 teams have been deployed across 27 districts for real-time flood damage assessment. Around 11,000 officials from various government departments, including district administrations and the Pakistan Army, are participating in the survey. A comprehensive online dashboard has also been developed for real-time monitoring and complaint resolution.
Flood Situation and Weather Concerns
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), through its National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC), issued an alert regarding potential flooding in Punjab and adjoining areas. Forecasts predict light to heavy rainfall across different districts over the next few days. The PDMA has also warned of possible high river flows due to the expected release of over 150,000 cusecs of water from India into the Chenab, Sutlej, and Ravi rivers.
At Head Marala, the current flow in the Chenab River is approximately 20,000 cusecs, with projections indicating an additional 100,000 cusecs expected within the next 48 hours. Despite this, authorities remain confident that the current situation is manageable when compared to the 900,000 cusecs of water that passed through Head Marala on August 26.
The Sutlej River may receive up to 50,000 cusecs of additional water, while around 35,000 cusecs are expected to flow into the Ravi River from the Thein Dam. Meanwhile, Mangla Dam has reported high water levels, though officials assured that the Jhelum River is not expected to experience significant flooding.
Survey Operations Across Punjab
The PDMA has launched a large-scale survey operation across 27 flood-affected districts. This survey aims to assess agricultural, infrastructure, and property losses. Each survey team comprises experts from the Agriculture Department, Irrigation Department, Revenue Department, and local administration, ensuring a coordinated and transparent data collection process.
PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia explained that the survey’s completion is expected by October 27, 2025, covering 69 tehsils. The collected data will serve as the basis for determining compensation eligibility and ensuring that no affected farmer is left behind.
To facilitate farmers, the PDMA has established an online complaint registration platform in collaboration with the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB). Through this platform, farmers can lodge complaints regarding survey inaccuracies or delays, which will be resolved within seven days.
Historical Overview of Flood Relief Efforts
Mr. Kathia highlighted that Punjab has a long history of flood damage and subsequent relief operations. In 2010, approximately 350,000 people were affected by floods, followed by 38,196 victims in 2012 and 359,000 in 2014. A total of Rs14 billion was distributed among victims of those disasters. Again in 2022, the provincial government distributed Rs10 billion to 56,000 flood-affected families. Over the last fifteen years, a total of Rs51 billion has been disbursed to flood survivors in Punjab.
However, the PDMA Director General emphasized that the current flood situation has caused greater damage than previous ones, particularly because of the intensity of rainfall and increased river inflows. He assured that the government is fully mobilized to provide timely assistance to those in need.
Agricultural Impact and Future Planning
The recent floods have severely affected major crops, including cotton, rice, and sugarcane. During the meeting, the Agriculture Secretary noted that measures taken earlier in the year to boost cotton production had shown encouraging results. So far, 2.65 million bales of seed cotton (phutti) have been picked this year compared to 1.846 million bales during the same period last year.
The Punjab government has also finalized a comprehensive action plan to meet its wheat sowing targets. The plan focuses on ensuring timely seed availability, promoting certified seed use, and providing technical support to farmers. The relief assistance announced now will help farmers prepare their land and resume cultivation for the wheat season without financial distress.
Weather Outlook for Punjab and Other Provinces
According to the National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC), heavy to moderate rains are expected in various districts of Punjab, including Rawalpindi, Lahore, Attock, Chakwal, Sargodha, Hafizabad, and Khushab. The upper regions may receive up to 100mm of rainfall in the coming days. Similarly, southern Punjab areas like Multan and Bahawalpur could experience light to moderate showers.
The weather advisory also covers other provinces. In Sindh, districts such as Karachi, Thatta, Badin, Tharparkar, Jamshoro, Umerkot, and Sujawal are expected to receive rains. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, areas including Peshawar, Dir, Kohat, Nowshera, Chitral, and Mansehra will likely experience intermittent rainfall, while Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir may face landslides in mountainous areas.
Precautionary Measures and Public Advisory
The NDMA has advised residents in flood-prone areas to remain vigilant and follow local authorities’ instructions. People living near riverbanks and low-lying regions are urged to move to safer areas if required. Authorities have also requested citizens to avoid unnecessary travel in hilly regions due to possible landslides.
The NDMA, PDMA, and NEOC are working in coordination with local administrations to ensure timely dissemination of information through media, including radio, television, and the Pak NDMA Disaster Alert App. Emergency response teams have been placed on high alert to handle any eventualities.
Conclusion
The Punjab government’s decision to offer Rs20,000 per acre compensation to flood-affected farmers represents a major step in providing relief and restoring agricultural stability. With comprehensive surveys, transparent monitoring systems, and the collaboration of multiple departments, the initiative aims to rebuild the agricultural sector and mitigate the losses caused by natural calamities.
The ongoing weather challenges highlight the importance of proactive disaster management, improved infrastructure, and continued government support for Pakistan’s farming communities. As Punjab moves toward recovery, these relief measures are expected to bring much-needed stability to thousands of farmers and strengthen the province’s agricultural backbone.
