Cattle, poultry farmers can now avail KCC, says Veterinary & Animal Husbandry Director
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 04 2020: Poultry and cattle farmers can now avail Kisan Credit Card, said Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Director Dr H Chaoba.

Speaking at his office at Sanjenthong, Dr H Chaoba said KCC was earlier awarded to those who are engaged only in agriculture and horticulture activities.

But from 2019-2020, the Centre has decided to extend the KCC benefits to farmers engaged in rearing of cattle, poultry farming, he informed.

The Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department has procured lists of PM Kisan beneficiaries from the Agriculture Department.

The lists were sought to identify PM Kisan beneficiaries who are also engaged in cattle and poultry farming and eligible for availing KCC.

The PM Kisan is implemented by the Agriculture Department.

A beneficiary under the scheme gets Rs 6,000 a year.

But it is not mandatory that only PM Kisan beneficiaries will be given the KCC, he said adding farmers who are engaged in both agricultural activities and cattle/poultry farming can now have two KCCs.

The Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department has identified 1,160 cattle/poultry farmers (who are also beneficiaries of PM Kisan).

Their details and documents have been submitted to banks for award of KCC, he said.

KCC holders can avail loan of Rs 2 lakh.

If the loan is repaid in time and met all the criteria, he/she can avail an additional loan of Rs 1 lakh, informed the Director.

Farmers can approach banks concerned for KCC.

The Directorate (V&AH) has also appointed a Nodal Officer for the purpose.

He further informed that the Rs 20 lakh crore package announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently includes Rs 13,343 crore for V&AH and Dairy sector.

Under the package, the Department will focus more on vaccination of animals and development of dairy sector.

Animal vaccination drive which was started from previous year under National Animal Disease Control Programme has already ended.

This year's vaccination programme is likely to start from August-September following the Centre's advice, he said.

Meanwhile, the Department is fully prepared to vaccinate and face any outbreak of diseases like FMD (Food and Mouth Disease) .

FMD detected in Churachandpur and Thoubal districts this year has been contained successfully.

In line with the PM's package to develop dairy sector, the Department has prepared a plan to improve State's dairy infrastructure and enhance cattle farming.

The project proposal will be sent to the Ministry concerned this week, he said.

The Centre through NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development) under Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme is providing Rs 5 lakh loan (upper ceiling) in addition to a subsidy of 33 percent.

Farmers may approach the Nodal Officer of the Department or NABARD for more details on the scheme, he informed.

State with NABARD have also sought the Centre for Rs 6 crore under Entrepreneurship Development and Employment Generation Scheme.

Farmers (cattle and poultry) under the scheme will get 50 percent subsidy on loan, he informed appealing farmers and all stakeholders for co-operation with the Department for successful implementation of the schemes and projects to improve dairy and farming sector.

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