If you are willing to do animal husbandry, take advantage of the Pashu Kisan Credit Card scheme. The following piece explains every intricate detail about this government-backed scheme.

So, let’s begin!

The Haryana Government launched the Pashu Kisan Credit Card (PKCC) Scheme to provide cattle farmers loans. To avail of the loan amount, animal owners need to have a Pashu Kisan Credit Card.

Haryana is the first state in India to implement this scheme. Initially, Pashu Kisan Credit Card was distributed among 101 in Bhiwani in Haryana. The government aims to provide a 10 lakhs card by March 2021.

The features of the PKCC scheme are discussed below -

• Loan amount- Livestock owners, can get a maximum loan amount of up to ₹3 lakh. This scheme provides ₹40,783 for the cow, ₹60,249 for each buffalo, ₹4063 for goats and sheep. Further, the PKCC scheme provides ₹720 for chickens (for laying eggs). Further, no guarantee is required for a loan up to ₹1.6 lakh.
• Instalment Pattern- Pashu Kisan Credit Card scheme offers loans to cattle farmers in 6 equal instalments.
• Interest Rate-Banks or financial institutions usually offer loans at a 7% interest rate. However, under this scheme, livestock owners need to pay a 4% interest charge.
• Rebate- Cattle-owners may get a rebate of 3% from the Central Government.
• Repayment Period- This scheme comes with a repayment period of 5 years, meaning cattle-owners need to repay the loan amount with 5 years with the applicable interest charge.

The main objective of the Pashu Kisan Credit Card Scheme is mentioned below -

• Assist farmers involved in animal husbandry.
• Help grow their business across the nation.
• Double the income of cattle farmers by 2022.

The eligibility criteria of Pashu Credit Card Yojana vary from one category to another as per the type of cattle farming. These include,

Poultry and Small Ruminant

• Farmers
• Joint Liability Groups
• Self Help Groups (tenant farmers of poultry/pigs/ rabbit/ goats/ sheep/ birds/ who have owned/leased/ rented sheds)
• Poultry farmers (individual or joint borrower)

Dairy

• Farmers
• Joint Liability Groups
• Self Help Groups (tenant farmers having owned/leased sheds rented)
• Dairy farmers (individual or joint borrower)

Fishery

• Farmers (individual, groups, tenant farmers, partners, and sharecroppers)
• Self Help Groups
• Women groups
• Joint Liability Groups

Note: Beneficiaries must lease or own any fisheries-related activities like rearing unit, tank, pond, raceway, open water bodies, and hatchery. They must have a licence for fish farming and fishing-related activities

Marine Fisheries

• Fish Farmers (individual, partners, tenant farmers, groups, and sharecroppers)
• Joint Liability Groups
• Self Help Groups
• Women groups

Note: Beneficiaries must lease or own a registered fishing vessel, registered boat. In addition, they must have a fishing licence. Further, they must have permission for fishing in the sea, estuary, and fish farming/mariculture activities in estuaries.

Following is a list of all the important documents of the Pashu Credit Card Scheme -

• Duly filled-in and signed-in application form of PKCC scheme.
• Address proof copy (Aadhaar card, Voter ID, PAN card, driving license.)

Note: Applicants should submit address proof copy verifying their current address)

• Identity proof copy (Aadhaar card, Voter ID, PAN card, driving license, etc.)
• Land documents
• Passport size photograph
• Other documents (security PDC as requested by the issuing bank)
• Animal health certificate.

Following is the list of individuals who can apply for the Pashu Kisan Yojana, 

• A resident of Haryana who is involved in cattle farming.
• Individuals who have Kisan Credit Card.
• Individuals belonging to weaker sections can apply for this scheme.

Now that cattle-owners know about the eligibility and important documents, we can move on to the section on the application process of the Pashu Kisan Credit Card Scheme.

To avail of the loan amount under the Pashu Kisan Credit Card scheme, you have to get the Pashu Kishan Credit card. Both the online and offline is discussed below,

Step-1: Kisan credit card is available at any nationalised bank. Hence, visit the website of any nationalised bank.

Step-2: From the website, choose Kisan Credit Card and click on ‘Apply.’

Step-3: On the next page, fill in the Pashu Kisan Credit Card application form. Click on ‘Submit’.

Step-4: You will receive an application reference.

Note: Upon successful application, the concerned bank will contact you within 3-4 business days.

Step-1: Eligible beneficiaries must visit the nearest bank to get the Pashu Kisan Credit Card under the Pashu Kisan Credit Card scheme.

Step-2: Collect the application form of Pashu Kisan Credit Card and fill it in with correct details.

Step-3: Complete KYC verification and submit the documents.

Here, cattle farmers will receive a credit card on the basis of the financial scale.

The benefits of the Pashu Kisan Credit Card Scheme are as follows -

• This scheme offers credit access up to ₹1.60 without any guarantee.
• PKCC scheme helps individuals related to agricultural activities with post-harvest expenses.

Note: If individuals take a loan amount of more than 3 lakh, they will have to pay an interest rate of 12%. Further, they need to pay the interest amount within one year to receive the next amount.

The Pashu Kisan Credit Card scheme is one of the most innovative and promising schemes of the Government of India that focuses on livestock development and farmers. Banks should come forward in distributing the loan amount so that the influence of informal credit access gets reduced.

Read the details mentioned above carefully and increase your income by applying to the Pashu Kisan Credit Card scheme.