Apna Khet Apna Rozgar Scheme is a major program by the Punjab Government designed to help poor families, unemployed youth, and landless farmers earn a stable income from agriculture. Instead of short-term aid, this program gives you real assets land, training, and support so you can stand on your own feet.
This initiative focuses on reducing poverty, creating jobs in villages, and increasing agricultural production across Punjab. If you want to build your future through farming but don’t own land, this scheme can change your life.
Login Apna Khet Apna Rozgar Portal
You will be able to apply through the official AKAR.gov.com online portal when registration starts. From there, you can submit your application, see if you meet the requirements, and check your application status using the official website.
اپنا کھیت اپنا روزگار اسکیم
اپنا کھیت اپنا روزگار اسکیم 2026 پنجاب حکومت کی ایک فلاحی اسکیم ہے جس کا مقصد بے زمین اور غریب کسانوں کو زرعی زمین فراہم کرنا ہے تاکہ وہ کاشتکاری کے ذریعے اپنا روزگار کما سکیں۔ اس اسکیم کے تحت اہل افراد کو سرکاری زرعی زمین دی جائے گی، جس سے دیہی غربت میں کمی، زرعی پیداوار میں اضافہ اور خود روزگاری کو فروغ ملے گا۔ یہ اسکیم خاص طور پر پنجاب کے دیہی نوجوانوں اور کم آمدنی والے خاندانوں کے لیے ایک سنہری موقع ہے۔
Quick Information
| Program Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Apna Khet, Apna Rozgar (اپنا کھیت اپنا روزگار) |
| Launched By | Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Punjab Government |
| Managing Department | Punjab Agriculture Department |
| Land Allocation | 3 to 5 Acres per Beneficiary |
| Total Land Available | 250,000 Acres (Approximately 50,000 families) |
| Land Cost | Absolutely Free / Conditional Long-term Allotment |
| Target Beneficiaries | Landless Farmers, Rural Youth (18-35 years), Small Farmers |
| Financial Support | CM Punjab Kisan Card + Interest-Free Loans |
| Machinery Support | Green Tractor Scheme (Up to Rs 1 Million Subsidy) |
| Coverage Area | All 36 Districts of Punjab (Priority: South Punjab) |
| Application Method | Online Portal + District Agriculture Offices |
| Official Website | https://agripunjab.gov.pk/ |
| Helpline Numbers | 0800-15000 / 0800-29000 |
| Year of Launch | 2026 |
What Is Apna Khet Apna Rozgar Scheme?
The Apna Khet Apna Rozgar Scheme, officially abbreviated as AKAR, is a major agricultural land distribution and rural empowerment program launched by the Government of Punjab under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. The scheme was formally inaugurated in April 2026, and the online registration portal at akar.pulse.gop.PK opened for applications on May 2, 2026.
The scheme’s name translates to “Your Own Field, Your Own Livelihood.” That name captures its core idea: if you give a landless family their own agricultural land, along with the tools and training to farm it properly, you give them a permanent source of income, not just a one-time payment. This is the fundamental philosophy that sets AKAR apart from short-term subsidy programs.
Under AKAR, the Punjab government is distributing approximately 250,000 acres of state-owned agricultural land across all 36 districts of Punjab to deserving, landless citizens on a 10-year lease at just Rs 100 per acre annually. The total value of land being distributed is roughly Rs 160 billion. Each beneficiary receives a plot ranging from 3 to 10 acres, depending on land availability and their district. Along with the land, selected farmers receive development grants, access to the Green Tractor Scheme, agricultural training, and market linkages.
Official Name (Full): The scheme's full brand title is "Apni Zameen… Apni Mehnat, Apni Fasal… Apna Rozgar" — meaning "Your Land, Your Labour, Your Crop, Your Livelihood." The registration portal operates under the State Land Management system at akar.pulse.gop.pk.
The AKAR scheme was first announced during Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s official visit to Rajanpur, one of Punjab’s most underdeveloped districts, signalling the government’s intent to prioritize areas with high poverty rates and strong agricultural potential. The 32nd Punjab Cabinet meeting formally approved the scheme’s rollout and authorized immediate allocation of land to 50,000 individuals for cultivation as a first phase.
Why This Scheme Matters for Pakistan’s Agriculture
Pakistan’s agriculture sector contributes roughly 24% of the national GDP and employs nearly 38% of the country’s labour force. Despite this, a large proportion of rural families in Punjab, Pakistan’s most agriculturally productive province, do not own any land. They work as tenant farmers, seasonal labourers, or agricultural workers on someone else’s fields, earning subsistence-level wages with no long-term security.
This structural problem has persisted for generations. Without land ownership, tenant farmers cannot access formal credit from institutions like ZTBL (Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited) or the Bank of Punjab. Without credit, they cannot invest in better seeds, fertilizers, or machinery. Without these inputs, productivity stays low, income stays low, and the cycle of rural poverty continues. The AKAR scheme tries to break this cycle at the root.
Beyond the economic argument, there is also a social one. When a rural family gains access to their own agricultural land, they gain dignity, stability, and a future to invest in. Children are more likely to stay in school when their parents have a secure income. Women in households with productive assets have stronger decision-making power. These second-order effects are what make land reform programs one of the most powerful tools in development economics.
From a macroeconomic perspective, distributing productive land to landless farmers also increases Punjab’s overall agricultural output. The government has specifically required that land be selected based on water availability and soil fertility, assessed by the Board of Revenue, to ensure that allotted plots are genuinely cultivable and productive, not wasteland.
Bigger Picture: Agriculture Reform Under CM Maryam Nawaz
The AKAR scheme sits alongside several other agricultural and rural development initiatives of the Punjab government, including the Green Tractor Scheme, solar tube well solarization (8,000 tube wells already solarized), Kisan Card credit support, and the broader Apni Chhat Apna Ghar housing program. Together, these schemes aim to improve rural living standards across Punjab structurally, not just offer temporary relief.
Who Benefits from Apna Khet Apna Rozgar?
The scheme specifically targets people who have the will and ability to farm but lack the most essential resource: land. The primary beneficiaries are:
Landless Farmers
Those who work on others’ fields as tenants or labourers with no agricultural land of their own.
Unemployed Rural Youth
Young people aged 18–55 from rural backgrounds who want to build farming careers.
Women & Widows
Both men and women are eligible. Widows, divorced women, and disadvantaged applicants are specifically encouraged to apply.
Low-Income Families
Households earning below the poverty line with no previous government land allotment.
Agriculture Graduates
Those with diplomas or degrees in Agriculture or Veterinary Sciences receive extra scoring points in selection.
Cholistan Residents
A separate allocation of 16,685 plots benefiting 101,111 families has been set aside for Cholistan’s unique rural context.
It is equally important to understand who the scheme is not designed for. If you already own agricultural land, have previously received a government land allotment, are a bank loan defaulter with ZTBL, or own more than 10 marlas of residential property, you will not qualify. The selection system uses NADRA verification and digital land records to cross-check all of these conditions.
Land Allotment Details: What You Actually Receive
How Much Land Will You Get?
Each successful applicant receives between 3 and 10 acres of government agricultural land on a 10-year lease. The exact plot size depends on the district you are applying from, land availability, and the government’s allocation formula. Most urban-adjacent districts offer smaller plots (3–5 acres), while areas like Cholistan and less densely populated southern Punjab districts offer larger allocations up to 5–10 acres.
The government has valued each plot at Rs 2.5 million to Rs 4 million, with some Cholistan plots valued higher. You are essentially receiving access to an asset worth several million rupees for a nominal lease fee of just Rs 100 per acre per year. That is the scale of the subsidy involved.
Where Is the Land Located?
Land is distributed across all 36 districts of Punjab. Across general Punjab districts, 13,812 plots have been identified to benefit 88,780 families. In Cholistan, 16,685 plots will benefit an additional 101,111 families. Land selection has been based on two critical factors: soil fertility and water availability, ensuring that allotted plots are genuinely productive.
What Are the Land Use Rules?
The land comes with strict conditions. You must use it exclusively for agricultural cultivation. You cannot build permanent structures on it, sell it, gift it, lease it to someone else, or leave it uncultivated. Punjab Agriculture Department officers will conduct monitoring visits to check whether you are actively farming. If you violate these rules, the land can be cancelled and reallocated. Think of it as a conditional 10-year agricultural tenancy with a possibility of permanent transfer if you maintain a strong cultivation record.
Development Grant: Along with the land, the government provides a one-time development grant ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 250,000 per acre to help you prepare the land for cultivation — covering initial land leveling, irrigation infrastructure, and inputs like seeds and fertilizer.
Full Package of Benefits Under AKAR Scheme
What makes the Apna Khet Apna Rozgar scheme genuinely different from past programs is that it does not just hand you land and walk away. It wraps the land allotment inside a broader support system. Here is what the full package includes:
|
Benefit Component |
Details |
|---|---|
|
Agricultural Land (Lease) |
3–10 acres of state-owned land on a 10-year agricultural lease at Rs 100/acre/year |
|
One-Time Development Grant |
Rs 50,000 to Rs 250,000 per acre for land preparation and initial cultivation |
|
Green Tractor Scheme Access |
Up to Rs 1,000,000 subsidy on 50–65 HP tractors; zero-interest financing with harvest-aligned repayment |
|
Agricultural Machinery |
Subsidies on laser land levelers, seeders, and harvesting equipment; shared government machinery access |
|
Farming Training |
Free workshops on modern farming techniques, water-efficient irrigation (drip technology), and crop rotation planning |
|
Market Linkages |
Government-facilitated access to mandis and agricultural markets to reduce dependence on middlemen |
|
Technical Assistance |
Expert guidance from Agriculture Department officers on crop selection based on soil type and climate |
|
Solar Tube Well Support |
Access to solarized irrigation infrastructure as part of the ongoing Punjab tube well solarization program |
The Green Tractor Scheme component deserves special attention. For most landless farmers, buying a tractor is an impossibility; these machines cost Rs 2–3 million. Under AKAR, selected beneficiaries can access tractors through an interest-free financing plan with repayment schedules aligned to harvest seasons, meaning you pay after you earn. The Rs 1 million subsidy dramatically reduces the effective cost, and for those who do not need a full tractor immediately, shared government-owned machinery is available.
Eligibility Criteria | Who Can Apply for AKAR Scheme 2026?
The government has kept the eligibility requirements clear but firm. Meeting all of these conditions is essential — failing even one can lead to automatic rejection during NADRA or land record verification.
Mandatory Requirements
Priority Scoring Factors
Among eligible applicants, a merit-based scoring system determines who gets selected first. Higher scores go to:
Who Is Excluded?
Required Documents for Application
Required Documents for Apna Khet Apna Rozgar Application
Having your documents ready before you start the application saves a lot of time and prevents errors that can lead to rejection. Here is the full list of what you need:
|
Document |
Purpose |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Original CNIC (Computerized National Identity Card) |
Identity and citizenship verification via NADRA |
Must be valid and not expired |
|
Punjab Domicile Certificate |
Proof of permanent Punjab residency |
Issued by your Tehsil office |
|
Active Mobile Number |
OTP-based verification and SMS updates |
Should be registered in your CNIC’s name |
|
Bank Account Details |
For grant disbursement via Direct Benefit Transfer |
Preferably Bank of Punjab or any scheduled bank |
|
Proof of Landlessness |
Confirm no agricultural land ownership |
Fard from PLRA (Punjab Land Records Authority) or Arazi Record Centre |
|
Revenue Estate Residence Proof |
Confirm you live in the mauza where land is allotted |
Local patwari certificate or B-Form |
|
Passport-Size Photographs |
Application form and record |
Recent, clear photographs |
|
Agricultural Background Proof (if any) |
Increases merit score |
Lease agreement, farming certificate, or agriculture diploma/degree |
|
No-Default Certificate from ZTBL |
Confirm no outstanding agricultural loan defaults |
May be verified digitally through the portal |
|
Widow/Divorced Certificate (if applicable) |
Priority consideration for women applicants |
Issued by NADRA or local Union Council |
How to Apply Online in Apna Khet Apna Rozgar 2026
The entire online registration process is completely free of charge. You do not need to pay any fee, and you do not need to hire an agent. If anyone asks you to pay money to register, they are running a scam. Here is the step-by-step process:
- 1 Open the Official Portal: Go to akar.pulse.gop.pk on your phone or computer. Make sure you are on the correct URL. The portal is managed by the Punjab Land Records Authority (PLRA).
- 2 Create Your Account: Click on “Register” or “Sign Up.” Enter your CNIC number and your active mobile number. The system will send you a one-time password (OTP) via SMS. Enter it to verify your identity.
- 3 Complete Your Profile: After account creation, fill in your complete personal details including name as on CNIC, father’s name, date of birth, current address, revenue estate (mauza) details, and family information.
- 4 Confirm Your Eligibility Status: The portal will ask about land ownership, prior government allotments, ZTBL default status, and other eligibility criteria. Answer these accurately. The system cross-checks against NADRA and PLRA databases.
- 5 Fill the Application Form: Provide agricultural background information, preferred district for land allotment, education qualifications (agriculture diploma/degree if any), and any supporting details that improve your merit score.
- 6 Upload Required Documents: Upload scanned or photographed copies of your CNIC, domicile certificate, landlessness proof (fard from PLRA), and any supporting documents. Make sure files are clear, readable, and within the size limit specified.
- 7 Review and Submit: Go through every section of the application carefully before submitting. Even a single error in your CNIC number or mauza name can cause verification failure. Once you are confident everything is correct, click Submit.
- 8 Save Your Tracking Number: After successful submission, save your application reference/tracking number. You will need this to check your status, respond to verification queries, and track your position in the selection process.
Offline Application Process
The government is aware that not every farmer in Punjab has reliable internet access or is comfortable with online portals. For these applicants, an offline route is available through the District Agriculture Office.
- 1 Visit your nearest District Agriculture Office or e-Khidmat Markaz with all required original documents and photocopies.
- 2 Inform the officials that you want to apply for the Apna Khet Apna Rozgar Scheme. They will assist you with filling out the registration form on the government portal on your behalf.
- 3 Provide all the information accurately: name, CNIC, mauza, eligibility details. The official will enter everything into the online system for you.
- 4 Verify all entered information before the official submits your application. Check spelling of your name, CNIC number, and mauza name specifically.
- 5 Collect your printed acknowledgment slip with your tracking number. Keep this safe for future reference.
- 6 You can visit the same office again to check application status, or call the helpline at 042-111-111-111 with your tracking number.
The Approval, Verification, and Balloting Process
Understanding how selection works will help you set realistic expectations and prepare properly. The AKAR scheme does not work on a first-come, first-served basis. Instead, it uses a transparent computerized balloting system combined with a merit-scoring process.
Step 1: Document Verification
Once you submit your application, the system begins automated cross-checking. Your CNIC is verified against the NADRA database to confirm your identity, age, and domicile. Your land ownership status is checked against the PLRA (Punjab Land Records Authority) digital database. Your ZTBL loan status is verified against bank records. If any data mismatch is found, for example, your CNIC shows a different address than your stated mauza, your application will be flagged for manual review or rejected outright.
Step 2: Initial Applicant List Publication
After the application submission window closes, the portal publishes an initial applicant list. This list shows all applications that have passed the automated verification stage. If you do not appear on this list, it means your application has either been rejected or flagged. You can visit the District Agriculture Office to find out the specific reason and whether a correction is possible.
Step 3: Merit Scoring and Ranking
Verified applicants are ranked based on the scoring system. Agricultural education qualifications add points. Widow or female applicant status adds priority points. Tenant farming experience adds points. The system is designed to favour those with the most genuine agricultural backgrounds and the greatest need.
Step 4: Computerized Balloting
Among applicants with similar merit scores, final selection is done through transparent computerized balloting. This process is conducted under the Board of Revenue supervision to prevent favouritism. The government has explicitly stated that no political or personal influence will be entertained in the balloting process. Selected applicants are notified via SMS on their registered mobile numbers.
Step 5: Field Verification
Before final land allotment, selected applicants undergo physical field verification. A local patwari or revenue officer will visit your stated residence in the revenue estate to confirm you actually live there. They will also confirm that the land you claim to be landless is genuinely not in your name through field records. This visit is critical; being absent or providing incorrect location information at this stage will result in cancellation of your selection.
Common Mistakes
Incorrect CNIC or Mauza Name: Even a single digit error in your CNIC number or a spelling mistake in your mauza name will cause an automated mismatch with NADRA or PLRA records and get your application flagged or rejected. Copy these details directly from your original documents.
Undisclosed Joint Family Land: Many applicants do not realize that land owned jointly within a family — even if they personally do not farm it — may still appear in their name in land records. Check your PLRA card before applying. If shared land exists, you may need a legal partition or disclaimer before your landlessness can be confirmed.
Expired or Mismatched Domicile: Your domicile must reflect your current permanent address in Punjab. If you moved to a different city but your domicile still shows your old address, update it at your Tehsil office before applying.
Wrong Mobile Number Entry: The OTP for verification and all status SMS messages go to your registered mobile number. If you enter a wrong number or a number you no longer use, you may miss critical updates and be unable to complete verification. Use a number that is currently active and registered in your name.
Applying in Multiple Districts: Some applicants try to apply in multiple districts hoping to improve their chances. The portal's CNIC-based system prevents duplicate applications. If you attempt this, both applications may be flagged and rejected.
Uploading Unclear Documents: Blurry, dark, or cropped document images that are difficult to read will fail the document review stage. Photograph documents in good natural light, keeping the entire document in frame, or use a document scanning app on your smartphone.
Being Absent During Field Verification: Once selected, a revenue officer or patwari will visit your stated residence to confirm you actually live there. If no one is home during the visit, this counts as failed verification. Ensure family members are at home if you cannot be present yourself.
Paying Agents or Middlemen: Fraudsters in rural areas often pose as "government agents" who claim they can guarantee your selection for a fee. No such guarantee exists. The selection is computerized and payment to anyone outside of official channels is both unnecessary and illegal.
Helpline and Contact Details
For the latest updates and official announcements, applicants should contact the Punjab Agriculture Department.
Always rely on official sources to avoid fraud or fake registration links.
Conclusion
The Apna Khet Apna Rozgar Scheme is one of the most significant agricultural land reform initiatives Punjab has seen in recent decades. In terms of scale, 250,000 acres, Rs 160 billion in land value, nearly 190,000 target families, and in terms of design, combining land with grants, training, tractor subsidies, and market access, it goes well beyond typical government announcements.
The digital-first approach through the akar.pulse.gop.PK portal, with NADRA and PLRA integration for transparent verification and computerized balloting, represents a serious attempt to eliminate the favouritism and leakage that plagued older land distribution programs. That does not mean the system is perfect; technical issues, land record mismatches, and verification delays are real challenges that many applicants will face. But these are solvable problems, and the pathways to solve them are clear.
If you are a landless farmer, an unemployed rural youth, or a widow living in Punjab with dreams of your own farm, this scheme deserves your full attention. Prepare your documents now. Get your land records digitized at the Arazi Record Centre. Verify your eligibility carefully. Apply as early as possible on the official portal. And if you face any hurdles, use the helpline and the District Agriculture Office. Do not pay middlemen, do not rely on unofficial websites, and do not miss the application window.
