Punjab govt offers Rs16bn interest-free loans to livestock farmers

 October 14, 2026 (MLN): The Punjab government will provide interest-free loans worth Rs16.2bn to livestock farmers under Phase-II of the Livestock Card Scheme, targeting improved nutrition for 600,000 animals over the next two years to increase meat production.

Under the scheme, eligible farmers will receive Rs27,000 per animal to purchase essential feed, including wanda, silage and mineral mixtures.

Farmers will repay only the principal amount, while the provincial government will bear the interest cost. The scheme also allows farmers to withdraw 25% of their loan amount in cash through ATMs.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif inaugurated the second phase digitally on Wednesday by swiping a card at a special ceremony. Free animal tagging and vaccination against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) will also be provided to improve animal health and productivity.

The chief minister expressed satisfaction over the 96% recovery rate recorded under the scheme's first phase.

During the briefing, Provincial Minister for Livestock Ashiq Hussain Kirmani and Secretary Livestock Ahmad Aziz Tarar informed the chief minister about the scheme's objectives, financial assistance for farmers and progress achieved during the initial phase.

The initiative has also strengthened market access for livestock farmers. Through the Livestock Connect portal, 23,000 farmers have been directly connected with meat exporters, enabling them to reach potential buyers.

The Punjab government has signed memorandums of understanding with eight major meat exporters to promote exports.

Furthermore, the Punjab Animal and Meat Company (PAMCO) has signed agreements to facilitate market access in China, Saudi Arabia, Gulf countries, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Europe.

The scheme has also expanded women's participation in livestock farming, with the number of women beneficiaries increasing from 90 to 1,107, according to the briefing.

Punjab's animal exports have increased by 43%, while meat exports rose 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 carried out more than 70,000 transactions through the scheme.

Farmers spent Rs892.6m on wanda, Rs87m on silage and Rs20m on mineral mixtures, reflecting the use of financial assistance to meet animal nutrition requirements.

For registration and assistance, the Livestock Department has established a 24-hour helpline. Farmers can also register for the Livestock Card Scheme through the department's online portal.

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