Punjab Kissan Card Scheme – Eligibility & How to Apply

Overview

The “CM Punjab Kissan Card” project, kicked off by the Punjab Agriculture Department along with the Punjab Information Technology Board, creates a one-stop digital setup that connects different departments like PLRA, PMD, NADRA, and BOP. This program brings us the CM Punjab Kissan Card, which is a government card that helps farmers get interest-free loans for everything from planting to harvesting. It makes it super easy for farmers to grab crucial farming supplies like seeds and fertilizers from approved sellers. Each card lasts for six months and lets farmers borrow up to Rs. 1.5 lac every season, with a limit of Rs. 30,000 for each acre. This program is meant for landowners that have between 1 and 12.5 acres. It’s expected to cost around Rs. 9.5 billion each season, aiming to boost crop yields and productivity, while also helping farmers stay financially included by sending them free SMS updates about their transactions. Plus, there’s a one-month grace period after the six months for paying back any loans or returning funds, giving farmers some breathing room.

Eligibility Criteria

• Any farmer who owns land up to 12.5 acres can join.
• You need to have a mobile SIM registered under your own CNIC that’s been verified by PMD.
• Farmers who have land and whose records you can find in PLRA can get a loan.

Major Components

• Farmers can sign up for the scheme online.
• There’ll be a digital verification process that links the farmers’ registration info held by PITB with the PLRA records.
• After you sign up and your land is verified, and you get OK from NADRA, PMD, and eECIB, you’ll get a Chief Minister Kissan Card issued by the Bank of Punjab.
• Initially, they’ll offer loans to 500,000 farmers on a first-come-first-served basis.
• Each farmer can get a maximum loan of Rs. 150,000 for up to 5 acres at Rs. 30,000 per acre.
• The loan can only be used to buy agricultural supplies like fertilizer and seeds.

How to Apply

To register, just text pkc followed by your CNIC number, and send it to 8070.