Punjab’s Livestock Farmer Card Project Draws 156,000 Applications in Phase II Drive

Punjab’s Livestock & Dairy Development Department is seeing overwhelming interest in its “Livestock Farmer Card” project, with 156,000 applications pouring in for Phase II alone. The initiative, designed to modernise livestock rearing and provide interest-free loans, is set to support the upkeep of 300,000 animals over the next six months, with farmers now allowed to register between five and twenty animals each.

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Provincial Livestock Minister Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani, during a review meeting, praised officials for achieving a remarkable 96 percent loan recovery rate under Phase I, urging them to quickly close the gap on the remaining balance. He called for wider farmer participation, robust registration drives via the Livestock App 9211, and a strong media campaign beginning September 1 to ensure prompt activation of farmer cards.

Phase II also carries a strong women-focused component, with 5,500 animals earmarked for rural women in 12 tehsils across South Punjab. More than 81,000 applications have been submitted for this segment, with beneficiaries to be chosen through a digital draw on October 30. Alongside the development drive, enforcement has been stepped up against those selling fake semen, conducting illegal slaughters, or distributing substandard milk—resulting in hundreds of FIRs, hefty fines, and sustained crackdowns.

Looking ahead, the province is rolling out major projects under the 2025–26 Annual Development Programme, including herd transformation to increase meat and milk production, the creation of a Foot and Mouth Disease–free zone in Bahawalnagar, and enhanced animal healthcare facilities. Minister Kirmani said the Bahawalnagar zone would become a hub for high-quality animal exports, stressing that all projects must be executed on time to maximise their economic and agricultural impact.