Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday launched Phase-II of the Livestock Card Scheme to provide interest-free loans to livestock farmers for purchasing animal feed, with a target of improving the nutrition of 600,000 animals over the next two years to increase meat production.
The CM digitally inaugurated the scheme by swiping a card at a special ceremony, where a documentary highlighting the initiatives of the Livestock Department was also screened.
During the ceremony, Provincial Minister for Livestock, Ashiq Hussain Kirmani and Secretary Livestock Ahmad Aziz Tarar briefed the chief minister on the scheme’s objectives, financial support for farmers and progress achieved during its first phase.
Under Phase-II, farmers will be eligible for interest-free loans of Rs.27,000 per animal to purchase essential feed, including wanda silage and mineral mixtures.
The Punjab government will provide loans worth Rs.16.2 billion under the initiative while farmers will repay only the principal amount and the government will bear the interest cost.
To facilitate farmers, the scheme also allows them to withdraw 25 per cent of the loan amount in cash through ATMs. Free animal tagging and vaccination against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) will also be provided to improve animal health and productivity. The CM expressed satisfaction over the 96 per cent recovery rate achieved under Phase-I of the scheme.
The briefing highlighted the scheme’s contribution to strengthening market access for livestock farmers.
Through the Livestock Connect portal, 23,000 farmers had been directly linked with meat exporters, enabling them to connect with potential buyers.
The Punjab government had also signed memorandums of understanding with eight major meat exporters to promote exports.
In addition, the Punjab Animal and Meat Company (PAMCO) had signed agreements to facilitate access to markets in China, Saudi Arabia, Gulf countries, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Europe. The initiative has also expanded women’s participation in livestock farming, with the number of women farmers benefiting from the scheme increasing from 90 to 1,107, according to the briefing.
Punjab’s animal exports had increased by 43 per cent, while meat exports had risen by $96 million in one year, the meeting was informed.
The briefing further revealed that 23,312 Livestock Cards had been prepared for farmers,while 1,739 farmers had conducted more than 70,000 transactions through the scheme.
Farmers had spent Rs.892.6 million on wanda,Rs.87m on silage and Rs.20 million on mineral mixtures, reflecting the use of financial assistance for animal nutrition. To facilitate registration and provide assistance, the Livestock Department has established a 24-hour helpline at 0800-09211. Farmers can also register for the Livestock Card Scheme through the department’s online portal.
Separately, Maryam Nawaz on Wednesday congratulated the nation and the project team on the successful test of the extended-range Fatah-2 hypersonic ballistic missile. In her message, the CM described the successful test as a proud achievement of Pakistan Army scientists and engineers, acknowledging their efforts and technical expertise. She expressed her gratitude over the successful test and extended congratulations to the scientists, engineers and the entire nation on the achievement.