KCC scheme now opened to livestock, poultry farmers: V&AH Director
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 27 2020:
Following the approval granted by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, farmers in the State, who are rearing livestock/poultry, can now avail Kishan Credit Card (KCC) scheme.
Making the above statement at Veterinary & Animal Husbandry office in Sanjenthong today, Director, Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Services Dr H Chaoba further informed all farmers to apply for the facility and submit the form/document to the Department.
The prescribed application form can be availed from the office of the Joint Director(s)/ Deputy Director(s) (Vety) of the districts w.e.f February 28, he said.
The form can be submitted after dully filled up to the concerned Joint Director (s)/Deputy Director (s) of the district on or before March 4 for onward submission to the concerned banks.
The Director continued that earlier, KCC is given to farmers who are engaged in agriculture/ farming as crop loan.
However, as a result of the Ministry's approval to give loan to farmers, who rear livestock/ poultry starting this year, the Department is undertaking necessary measures so that beneficiaries can avail the said scheme.
Listing the criteria for the scheme, the Director informed that the farmer should rear 2 milk giving cows or 4 pigs (3 females and 1 male) or 21 sheep/goat (20 females and 1 male).
For poultry farmers, they should either have 500 chicken or 500 ducks, he added.
Those who already has KCC for agriculture, can also apply for the KCC for livestock/poultry and enjoy the benefit from both the cards.
Dr Chaoba maintained that there are more than 1.50 lakh KCC holders in the State under PM Kisan.
Beneficiaries can avail loan up to Rs 2 lakh under the KCC scheme with an interest of 7 percent per year.
Saying that the loan should be repaid within a year after taking, Chaoba mentioned that if the farmers repay the loan in time, then they can avail the next loan upto Rs 3 lakh with the interest rate at only 4 percent.