More Than 14,000 Livestock Cards Yet to Be Distributed

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 The Punjab Livestock and Dairy Development (PL&DD) department has distributed 13,181 livestock cards to farmers, with over 14,000 additional cards available at distribution centers as part of the ongoing scheme.

The Livestock Card program offers interest-free loans of Rs 27,000 per male calf, amounting to a total of Rs 135,000 to Rs 270,000 for farmers. Over the next two years, the initiative aims to support up to 80,000 farmers and provide 400,000 animals.

This update was shared during an important meeting at the Livestock Department, chaired by Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani, Provincial Minister for Livestock and Agriculture. The meeting reviewed the progress of key initiatives, including the Punjab Chief Minister Livestock Card program, the distribution of livestock assets to rural widows and divorced women in South Punjab, and other related projects.

Minister Kirmani directed Regional Directors of the Livestock Department to ensure proper documentation of all distributed animals, including tracking numbers and verifying tagged animals. A daily performance review will be conducted for Regional Directors, Deputy Directors, and Veterinary Field Officers. He also emphasized that arrangements must be made for the vaccination of all tagged animals.

Furthermore, the minister stressed the importance of publicizing the provincial cabinet’s approval of a 30% cash facility for livestock farmers through various media platforms to maximize outreach.

Minister Kirmani also instructed that all tagged animals undergo re-verification by the Urban Unit and clarified that, under the fattening program, only male animals should be verified for the Livestock Card program. He announced that, over the next two years, 11,000 cows and buffaloes (heifers) will be distributed to rural women aged 55 and under in 12 districts of South Punjab.