Farming Societies

Cooperative Farming grew in Punjab from a pressing economic need. It was initiated here through a Cooperative Farming Scheme in 1948, with the following objects:

  • To rehabilitate landless refugees from East Punjab and local landless tenants on state land

  • To increase agricultural production through improved methods of cultivation, credit, supply and marketing facilities and supplementing canal irrigation by installing tube-wells

  • To develop facilities like education, medical aid, storage, recreation, etc, on self-help

Almost 142928 acres of state land was allotted to 132 Cooperative Farming Societies organized in the Multan, Sahiwal, Vehari, Khanewal, Okara, Lodhran and Toba Tek Singh Districts, of which 135318 acres were leased to 9534 members in units of 12-1/2 acres. The remaining 7610 acres were used for village sites, water channels, etc.

Up to Rabi 1959-60, Cooperative-Farming Societies received 40% of produce from their members in lieu of lease money on behalf of member allottees for development and management. Conditions of allotment of land were changed in Kharif 1960. Government decided to grant proprietary rights to members against payment of price @ 20/- PIU in 30/40 Six-monthly installments through the Societies.