If you want to try your hand at animal husbandry but your budget is holding you back, a special initiative by the Uttar Pradesh government could be exactly what you need. The state wants to increase the number of indigenous milch animals, and to push that goal it is handing out cash grants to encourage farmers. There is a separate plan for everyone, from those rearing just two cows to those building a full-fledged dairy farm.
Rs 80,000 Direct Help for Two Indigenous Cows
Speaking to TrendKia, Chief Veterinary Officer Dr CP Singh Kushwaha explained that the Mukhyamantri Swadeshi Go Samvardhan Yojana is being run under the Nand Baba Dugdh Mission. Here, the farmer must first set up a unit of two indigenous cows using their own resources. Once the unit is established, the government provides a grant of Rs 80,000. The only condition is that both cows must be milch animals of an indigenous breed.
How to Apply and What Documents You Need
To claim this benefit, you must apply online. An Aadhaar card and an animal husbandry experience certificate are required along with the application. After that, a district committee selects the beneficiaries. Once selected, the Rs 80,000 is sent straight into the applicant's bank account as a grant.
According to Dr Kushwaha, the scheme is meant only for those who will rear an indigenous breed and who have already been rearing indigenous animals, because the government's intent is to promote these breeds across the state. One important point is that the farmer must buy this indigenous-breed animal from outside.
Half the Cost Covered When You Open a Dairy Farm
If your plan goes beyond two cows to setting up an entire dairy farm, the Nandini and Mini Nandini Dugdh Yojana is about to launch under the same Nand Baba Dugdh Mission. Under it, farmers can easily take 10 to 25 cows.
The Nandini Dugdh Yojana involves a cost of around Rs 62 lakh 50 thousand, on which a 50% subsidy has been fixed. The Mini Nandini Dugdh Yojana, meanwhile, sets a cost of Rs 23.6 lakh for 10 cows, and offers a grant of Rs 11 lakh 80 thousand.
The Cost Split: 15% You, 35% Bank, 50% Government
Those keen to set up a dairy farm will have to put in 15% of the total cost as their own contribution. After that, 35% of the amount will be taken as a loan from the bank, and the remaining 50% will be credited directly to the account as a government subsidy. In other words, you can start a sizeable dairy business by paying just 15% out of your own pocket.
