Last updated: October 28, 2026
The Punjab government has launched the second phase of its Livestock Card, which gives farmers interest-free loans for animal feed. According to a report dated 15 October 2026, the Chief Minister inaugurated it in a digital ceremony by swiping a card. The loan is Rs. 27,000 per animal, and the total package is Rs. 16.2 billion.
This is not the same as the free livestock scheme for rural women that we covered earlier. The Livestock Card is a loan for feed, not free animals. Here is what has been reported so far, including the helpline and the points that farmers who took a Phase I loan should know.
Please note: We are not the Punjab government. This summary is based on news reports (The Nation and The Express Tribune, 15 October 2026; APP, 14 October 2026; earlier APP reports) and the Bank of Punjab scheme page. The reports do not name a last date or a repayment period for Phase II. Check the official Livestock Department channels before you register, and never pay anyone to “get” you a card.
Livestock Card Phase II at a Glance
- What it is: an interest-free loan to improve animal nutrition and raise meat production over the next two years
- Loan per animal: Rs. 27,000, for feed (wanda), silage and mineral mixtures
- Target: 600,000 animals
- Total loans: Rs. 16.2 billion
- Cash option: farmers can withdraw 25% of the loan in cash from ATMs, as reported (see the note below, because older reports gave a different share)
- Interest: the farmer repays the principal and the government covers the interest cost
- Extras: free animal tagging and vaccination against foot-and-mouth disease
- Helpline: 0800-09211, open 24 hours
How Much Loan Will You Get?
The loan depends on how many animals you register. Reports say a farm can register from 5 up to 20 animals. Using the reported Rs. 27,000 per animal, the totals work out like this:
| Animals registered | Loan amount (Rs. 27,000 each) |
|---|---|
| 5 | Rs. 135,000 |
| 10 | Rs. 270,000 |
| 15 | Rs. 405,000 |
| 20 | Rs. 540,000 |
These are our own calculations from the reported rate, not an official table. The final amount is decided by the department and the bank.
Who Can Register?
The Nation report does not list eligibility. An APP report from 16 July 2026, which described the registration, gives these conditions:
- You must be a Punjab resident.
- You must own 5 to 20 male calves or bull calves.
- You must have a valid CNIC.
- You must have a mobile SIM registered in your own name.
The Bank of Punjab’s scheme page also lists being registered in the Livestock Department’s database and passing NADRA verification as conditions. If the rules for Phase II differ, the official announcement will say so.
Important If You Took a Phase I Loan
An APP report published before the launch said that farmers who had not repaid their Phase I loans or other dues should deposit them at Bank of Punjab branches, otherwise they may not be eligible for Phase II. In simple words: clear your old loan first. The government says recovery in Phase I reached 96%, so repayment is clearly being tracked.
How to Register
The APP report on the launch (14 October 2026) says farmers can register through the department’s online portal and can call the 24-hour helpline 0800-09211 for help. An earlier APP report also listed these ways. Confirm that they still apply to Phase II:
- The online portal
- A QR code
- Facilitation desks at veterinary hospitals
- The department’s 24-hour helpline
Keep your CNIC and your own registered SIM with you. A mobile number registered in someone else’s name may cause problems.
How the Money Can Be Used
- Cardholders buy feed, silage and mineral mixtures from registered dealers in their tehsil.
- Up to 25% of the approved loan can be taken as cash through ATMs, according to the July 2026 report. Some earlier reports mentioned 30%, so confirm the current share with the helpline.
- The rest must be spent on livestock feed and related supplies through authorised dealers.
Card Fee: What to Check
The Bank of Punjab’s page for the scheme (last updated April 2025) says the card issuance fee is Rs. 100 per animal, paid by the farmer and deducted from the card limit. That means it is taken from your own card limit by the bank, not paid in cash to anyone. We could not confirm whether this still applies in Phase II, so ask the helpline. If anyone asks you for money outside the official process, do not pay.
What Phase I Showed
The report says Phase I recorded a 96% recovery rate, and that the number of registered women livestock farmers rose from 90 to 1,107. Officials also said the Livestock Connect portal had linked about 23,000 farmers with meat exporters, with agreements signed with eight major exporters. The government also claims animal exports from Punjab rose by 43% and meat exports by $96 million in one year. These are the government’s figures as reported, and we could not check them independently.
Checklist Before You Register
- Count your animals and check that the number is between 5 and 20.
- Keep your original CNIC and a SIM registered in your name.
- If you took a Phase I loan, check that it is fully repaid.
- Call the helpline 0800-09211 or visit your veterinary hospital to confirm the process.
- Plan your spending: how much feed, silage and minerals you will buy from registered dealers.
What We Still Do Not Know
- The last date to register
- The repayment period and schedule for Phase II
- Which bank handles Phase II (the Bank of Punjab handled the earlier phase)
- Whether the rule of 5 to 20 male calves is exactly the same in Phase II
- The exact web address of the official portal. Use the helpline or the Livestock Department’s official channels to get it.
Stay Safe
- Registration through the official channels is not described as costing a fee paid to a person. Do not pay an agent who offers to “approve” your card.
- Never share an OTP, ATM PIN or card with anyone.
- Ask your local veterinary hospital for the correct process.
For the other livestock scheme, read our guide to the free livestock scheme, Phase 2. If you are looking for a job rather than a loan, see the Livestock Department jobs. Women can also look at our guide to the e-Learn She Earn Punjab free course.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Punjab Livestock Card?
It is a card that gives farmers an interest-free loan to buy animal feed, silage and mineral mixtures.
How much is the loan?
Rs. 27,000 per animal, as reported. The total for Phase II is Rs. 16.2 billion for 600,000 animals.
What is the Livestock Card helpline number?
The Livestock Department has set up a 24-hour helpline at 0800-09211 to help farmers with registration.
Can I take the loan in cash?
Up to 25% can be withdrawn in cash from ATMs, as reported in July 2026. The rest is for feed and supplies from registered dealers. Confirm the current share with the helpline.
Do I pay interest?
According to the report, the farmer repays the principal and the government covers the interest.
How many animals can I register?
Reports say a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 20 animals per farm.
I did not repay my Phase I loan. Can I still apply?
An APP report said farmers with unpaid Phase I dues may not be eligible for Phase II. Clear the dues at a Bank of Punjab branch and confirm with the helpline.
Is this the same as free livestock for women?
No. That is a separate scheme. The Livestock Card is a loan for feed.
Final Words
The Livestock Card is useful for farmers who already own animals, but the reports leave important gaps such as the last date and the repayment period. Use the official portal and the helpline, keep your CNIC and SIM ready, clear any Phase I dues and avoid agents. For more Punjab government schemes, keep visiting EarnExpertHub.
Sources: The Nation, 15 October 2026; The Express Tribune, 15 October 2026; APP, 14 October 2026; APP, 16 July 2026; Bank of Punjab, CM Punjab Livestock Card page.
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