117,750 apply for CM Livestock Card: minister

LAHORE:As many as 12,000 CM Livestock Cards have been distributed, and 117,750 applications have been received, with approximately 14,000 approved, covering a total of 100,000 animals. The Livestock Card enables farmers to purchase animal feed, silage, and mineral mixtures, while interest-free loans of Rs27,000 per animal are being provided to farmers raising male calves. This information was shared by Minister for Livestock and Agriculture Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani while chairing a meeting at the Livestock Department under the chairmanship on Tuesday.

The meeting reviewed the progress of the Chief Minister Punjab Livestock Card, the distribution of livestock assets among rural widows & divorced women in South Punjab, genetic improvement of livestock through imported semen, provision of supply of sheep and goats, improvement in the semen production units in Karaniwala and Qadirabad, supply of modern ultrasound machines at the tehsil level and the establishment of civil veterinary dispensaries. Secretary Livestock Punjab Saqib Ali Ateel also attended the meeting.

The minister said that Punjab govt, under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, is committed to the development of the livestock sector. The special measures being taken for livestock farmers will help realise the dream of their prosperity. Syed Ashiq Hussain stated that the distribution of livestock assets among widows and divorced women is a significant initiative by the CM Punjab to empower women. He further highlighted that the Chief Minister Livestock Card, launched on Dec 5, was formally introduced by CM Maryam Nawaz in Pakpattan on January 9.

Across Punjab, 942 merchants are registered to facilitate transactions through the Livestock Card, and farmers have already made purchases worth Rs500 million since Dec 16. A steering committee, headed by the Chief Secretary Punjab, has been established to ensure the efficient implementation of the program, including a 30 percent cash support facility. A summary for its approval has been sent to the CM Punjab. The distribution of livestock assets among widows and divorced women in South Punjab is expected to serve as a milestone in promoting economic empowerment for underprivileged women. A total of 5,000 beneficiaries will be selected in the first year through electronic balloting based on district quotas. Subsequently, the distribution of high-quality animals will be carried out through manual balloting. So far, 110,500 applications have been received for the program, with 14,500 sent for physical verification, and 12,000 have been approved. Eligible women will have accounts opened in the Bank of Punjab, which will provide an initial deposit of Rs5,000 per account. The minister directed the Livestock Department to use media campaigns to inform livestock farmers about various stages of the Livestock Card, including tagging, vaccination, and insemination. He also emphasized the strict enforcement of the ban on the slaughter of female animals. Additionally, the Provincial Minister instructed field veterinary officers, deputy directors, and directors to establish close connections between owners of fattening farms with at least 500 animals and exporters in Punjab.

He directed the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) to compile data and develop a webpage to facilitate for this linkage. A platform connecting farm owners and exporters is crucial for ensuring access to information on fattening animals and fostering the development of mutually beneficial clusters.