The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved $381 million in funding for three development projects in Punjab, targeting agriculture, education, and health, the lender said Saturday.
The Punjab Climate-Resilient and Low-Carbon Agriculture Mechanisation Project will receive $124 million, including a $120 million concessional loan and $4 million grant, to promote modern farming, low-carbon practices, and disaster-resilient agriculture for 220,000 rural households. Punjab produces 75 percent of Pakistan’s wheat, 69 percent of rice, and 91 percent of maize, but outdated machinery and crop residue burning contribute to significant grain losses and air pollution. The project will introduce mechanisation, including rice harvesters.
The Responsive, Ready, and Resilient STEM Secondary Education Program will receive $107 million, combining a $100 million loan and $7 million grant. Implemented by the Punjab School Education Department, it aims to modernise STEM curricula, expand access to quality secondary education, and strengthen human capital across the province.
The Punjab Nursing and Health Workforce Reform Program will receive $150 million to improve nursing education, develop disaster-resilient training facilities, and strengthen workforce governance. Three centres of excellence will be built in Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi, featuring simulation labs, digital learning platforms, and gender-responsive hostels. The program will expand the pool of qualified nurses, predominantly women, to improve provincial healthcare and meet domestic and international demand.
ADB Country Director for Pakistan Emma Fan said the projects will “modernise agriculture, enhance human capital, and significantly improve livelihoods for millions of people across Punjab,” highlighting the province’s critical role in Pakistan’s economy.
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