Latest news with #LivestockCard
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Punjab, UK to collaborate on farming and livestock reforms
LAHORE: The Punjab government and the British High Commission have agreed to work together on supporting farmers, dealing with climate change, improving university linkages, better animal breeding and controlling foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) to strengthen agriculture and livestock sectors of the province. The consensus reached during a meeting of the Punjab's Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani, with Ben Warrington, Head of the Lahore Office at the British High Commission. Punjab Agriculture Secretary Iftikhar Ali Sahoo was also present. Minister Kirmani said Punjab values the UK's financial help and wants to learn from the UK's experience in the livestock sector. He shared that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has focused on improving agriculture and livestock. Over the past year, the government gave farmers interest-free loans through the Kissan Card and Livestock Card programs. These programs help farmers avoid being exploited by middlemen. He also talked about the transforming Punjab agriculture program, which has a large budget of Rs 400 billion. The government is focusing on modern farming equipment, efficient irrigation, good quality seeds, and new research centers. These steps aim to lower crop costs and increase yield per acre. To reduce smog, the government has given farmers 5,000 subsidized super seeders. It is also setting up four agriculture malls where farmers can rent modern farming machines at low rates. Last year, 9,500 tractors were given to farmers with Rs 1 million subsidy on each. A new loan scheme is also being introduced to help farmers and service providers get high-tech machines. Punjab is also starting a breed improvement program in 10 districts. This program aims to improve milk and meat production. High-quality animal semen will be sold in the market at lower prices. The minister also said that to control FMD, the government will set up two special zones and five compartments in the upcoming budget. This will greatly help in controlling the disease. Ben Warrington praised the steps Punjab has taken in agriculture reforms. He said the UK understands the problems faced by Punjab's farmers and wants to help solve them. Consultant Dr. Muhammad Anjum Ali and Director General of Agriculture Information Punjab, Naveed Ismat Kahloon, also joined the meeting. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
08-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Punjab urges farmers to repay first-phase loans by 15th
LAHORE: The Punjab government has urged the livestock farmers who received loans under the 'Livestock Card' scheme to repay their first-phase loans within the stipulated timeframe in order to qualify for loans in the upcoming second phase. Farmers have been warned that failure to repay outstanding loans by May 15, 2025, will disqualify them from benefiting from any future initiatives of the livestock department. This directive was issued by Punjab Livestock Minister Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani during meeting held to review the loan recovery process, asset distribution among rural women, and to discuss new proposals and projects for the department's 2025-26 budgets. The Minister announced that the second phase of the livestock card scheme will span six months, with applications being accepted between May 15 and June 15, 2025. Under this phase, 300,000 animals will be distributed to eligible livestock farmers. Physical verification of applicants will be conducted by the urban unit from June 9 to July 10, 2025, and the first loan instalment will be disbursed starting July 15, 2025. All newly distributed animals will be tagged for tracking and monitoring. Highlighting the achievements of the first phase, the Minister stated that 5,500 animals have already been distributed among rural women in 12 districts of South Punjab, with an additional 5,500 animals to be distributed during the second phase. During the briefing, Minister Kirmani was also updated on the annual development programme, implementation of livestock-related legislation, and disease control efforts. He was informed that foot and mouth disease is currently under control in Punjab, and no cases of lumpy skin disease have been reported to date. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
01-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Punjab proposes Rs12bn for CM's livestock programme
LAHORE: The Punjab Livestock and Dairy Development Department (L&DDD) has proposed a budgetary allocation of approximately Rs 12 billion for three major initiatives under the chief minister's livestock programme. These initiatives include herd transformation to enhance livestock productivity, a new internship programme within the livestock department and the establishment of a foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) free zone with vaccination in district Bahawalnagar. These projects will be launched following formal approval by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif from next fiscal. This was revealed during a high-level meeting of the Livestock Department where discussions covered the Livestock Card scheme, distribution of livestock assets among rural women, and proposals for upcoming projects. Secretary Livestock Punjab, Saqib Ali Ateel also attended the meeting. Addressing the meeting, Punjab Minister for Livestock Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani stated that livestock farmers who have availed loans under the 'livestock farmer card' scheme will qualify for the next phase provided they repay their current loans within the designated timeframe of April 15 to May 15. He added that significant funding is being earmarked in the upcoming fiscal year's budget for livestock sector development projects. These initiatives aim to uplift livestock farmers economically and improve overall sector performance. The Minister further announced that Phase II of the livestock card initiative will run for six months, during which 300,000 animals will be distributed to farmers. Applications will be accepted from May 15 to June 15, and the Urban Unit will carry out physical verifications between June 9 and July 10. The first instalment of loans under Phase II will be disbursed starting July 15, and all newly distributed animals will be tagged for tracking purposes. He also confirmed that, under Phase I, 5,500 animals have already been distributed among rural women across 12 districts of South Punjab. Minister Kirmani also highlighted the launch of the Punjab Livestock CONNECT App, which will serve stakeholders including slaughterhouses, meat exporters, fattening farms, and farmers under the livestock card scheme. Through the app, users can submit complaints, access information on livestock financing and diseases, and provide feedback. He stressed that livestock divisional and district directors, along with additional directors, must update the app's data every three months - warning that any negligence in this duty will not be tolerated. The meeting was also attended by Additional Secretary Livestock Usman Tahir, Directors General of Extension, Production, and Research (Livestock), along with representatives from the Bank of Punjab, Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB), and Urban Unit. Divisional Directors from South Punjab participated via video link. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
