Deputy Director (DD) Livestock and Dairy Improvement Sargodha Dr. Muhammad Tanveer Kalyar said that the Punjab government had chosen to give interest-free loans of up to Rs. 270,000 to the cattle farmers, for which Rs. 11 billion have been allocated.
He said that an interest-free loan of Rs. 135,000 to Rs. 270,000 for quite a long time would be given to cattle owners who have a valid CNIC card, have their cell phone SIM enrolled and activated in their names, and have five to ten male calves.
He said that a facility deck had been set up in all livestock hospitals to get applications under the livestock card drive, where the prepared staff was assisting farmers with documenting applications through the application. He said individuals can also apply through the application by typing their PLC ID card number (with a space) in a message and sending it to 8070 from their mobile phone. For more data, the nearest animal hospital or office can be reached at 080009211, he added.
CM Maryam Nawaz said the farmers would get the loan in installments, and its issuance would start after four months.
“All steps will be taken to ensure economic self-reliance of all farmers in towns of Punjab. We will extend full support to the farmers and cattle growers of Punjab. The journey of improvement and development has begun. We will make everyone its stakeholder,” the CM added.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said in her message on International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict, “In Gaza and different regions, individuals, but the environment is being destroyed by the war.”
Read more: Punjab govt to provide Rs 15 lac interest-free loan for homes under Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar project
Livestock Card: A Gift for Cattle-Owners
Provincial Minister for Livestock and Agriculture Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani has launched the Livestock Card program, an interest-free loan initiative specifically intended for supporting 80,000 cattle farmers all over Punjab.
The declaration of this initiative was made at a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony for the Chief Minister Punjab Livestock Card, conducted at the Bank of Punjab head office in Lahore. The Livestock Card registration process commenced the same day, with Secretary Livestock Punjab Saqib Ali Ateel and Bank of Punjab President Zafar Masood signing the MoU, alongside key officials, including Parliamentary Secretary for Livestock, Sardar Asim Makeen.
Minister Kirmani shared that the Punjab government has allocated Rs 11 billion for this program, which aims to fatten 4 lakh animals to improve meat quality for local consumption and export. Through this interest-free loan, farmers will receive Rs27,000 per animal, with a total loan facility ranging from Rs135,000 to Rs270,000. The repayment is set to be made in quarterly installments, easing the financial load on small farmers.
From December 15, the Livestock Card will allow farmers to purchase essential items like silage, vanda, and mineral mixtures from authorized dealers across Punjab. Kirmani noted that, unlike previous administrations, the current government has prioritized the livestock sector, with the Chief Minister setting aside Rs20 billion to uplift small-scale farmers owning 5 to 10 animals. In addition, the Livestock Department will assist with tagging, vaccination, and insemination services to ensure healthy animals, linking farmers with major exporters in the province.
Minister Kirmani highlighted that the Livestock Department is also establishing compartments, zones, and research centers as part of a broader vision to boost livestock farming in Punjab. The ceremony was attended by dignitaries, including Director General (Extension) Livestock Dr. Muhammad Ashraf, Director General (Research) Livestock Dr. Sajjad Hussain, Group Chief Corporate and Investment Banking at Bank of Punjab Nofal Dawood, and Head of Marketing Asad Zia, reflecting the collaborative support behind this program.