The Punjab agriculture department has started registration of growers under 'Khushal Kissan Khushal Pakistan' scheme which is aimed at extending Rs 80 billion interest-free loans to 5,00,000 farmers having up to 12 acres of land. The registration will be carried out at tehsil land record centers, which will remain open from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm daily for a period of one month. The growers have been advised by the department to visit these centers along with original CNIC, mobile number and detail of their land. Tenants and lessees can also get themselves registered with permission from the original owner of the land. There is no fee for registration and a token will be issued after it, said a spokesman of the department on Monday. Under this special package, 500,000 growers, each having 12 acres of land, will be provided Rs 80 billion loans through small phones. The farmers will be extended interest-free loan of Rs 25,000 per acre during Rabi season and up to Rs 40,000 per acre in Khareef season besides giving them a smart phone for just Rs 110. Growers can use these smart phones for having access to information such as technical guidance, market rates, weather forecast, seed providers etc. The growers will be given loan in three instalments besides provision of crop insurance facility, said the spokesman. Representatives of Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited, National Bank, National Rural Support Programme, Akhuwat and Tameer Bank will contact the farmers who will fulfil the conditions of this loan. Farmers can contact the directorate of agriculture information Punjab from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm or agriculture extension wings office of their respective district. Source - http://www.brecorder.com