Madhya Pradesh has expedited its action plans to become the Milk Capital of India, following the directions of Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav.
Currently, with an annual milk production of 22.6 million tonnes, Madhya Pradesh ranks third in the country. Per capita milk availability stands at 700 grams per capita per day, higher than the national average of 485 grams per capita per day.
In order to increase milk production, livestock farmers and beneficiaries interested in animal husbandry are being encouraged to take advantage of well-designed government schemes aimed at strengthening their livestock resources and improving livelihoods.
Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Kamdhenu Yojana, one of the country's most ambitious and innovative schemes for increasing the cattle wealth, is proving beneficial for livestock farmers. The scheme is operative across the state.
What Does Scheme Offer?
Under the scheme, beneficiaries can establish dairy units comprising a maximum of 25 milch animals. Each unit may consist entirely of either bovine animal or buffaloes. All cows or buffaloes within a single unit must be of the same breed.
The breeds eligible under the scheme to rare include indigenous cattle breeds: Gir, Sahiwal, Tharparkar and Red Sindhi.Crossbred cattle: Only crossbred Holstein Friesian and Jersey cattle. Buffalo breeds include Murrah, Surti, Mehsana and Bhadawari.The maximum project cost per unit is Rs. 42 lakh.
A beneficiary can avail the scheme for one or more units, with eligibility extending up to a maximum of eight units comprising 200 milch animals.
If a beneficiary opts for more than one unit, they can choose between improved indigenous cows, crossbred cows or buffaloes according to their convenience. For example, a beneficiary opting for three units may choose one buffalo unit, one crossbred cow unit and one improved indigenous cattle unit.
Beneficiaries who have previously availed the scheme and fully repaid their loans will also be eligible to benefit from it again. This facility can be availed for a maximum of eight units. However, there must be a minimum gap of two years between two successive loans.Applications must be submitted through the online portal.
A beneficiary must possess a minimum of 3.50 acres of agricultural land for each unit. The minimum land requirement will increase proportionately with the number of units. Joint family landholdings will also be considered for this purpose, subject to the consent of the other family members.
Who Is Eligible?
In order to avail the benefits of the scheme, the beneficiary must be a resident of Madhya Pradesh.The scheme is open to livestock farmers belonging to all categories.The applicant must be above 21 years of age.It is mandatory to undergo dairy farming training from a government institution or a government-designated organisation.Priority will be given to livestock farmers who are already supplying milk through milk unions.
Those serving along existing milk routes of milk unions or producer companies, as well as those covered under newly established milk routes, will also get priority.
Subsidies
Under the scheme, beneficiaries belonging to the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe categories will receive a subsidy of 33 per cent of the project cost, while beneficiaries from other categories will be eligible for a 25 per cent subsidy.
The subsidy will be disbursed as a lump sum after completion of a period of three years from the date of its first disbursement. No interest will be charged to the beneficiary on the subsidy amount.
Beneficiaries will also have the flexibility to repay their loans at any time before the stipulated repayment period.
Self-Sustaining Gaushalas
The Self-Reliant Gaushala Establishment Policy, 2025, is under implementation to promote the conservation and protection of bovine animal.Under the policy, 125 acres of land will be made available for establishing gaushalas with a minimum capacity of 5,000 animals.So far, 6,257 acres of land at 32 locations across 27 districts have been allotted to the Animal Husbandry and Dairy Department for this purpose.
More than five lakh uncared bovine animals are currently being sheltered and protected in gaushalas across Madhya Pradesh.These gaushalas are being provided maintenance assistance of Rs. 40 per animal per day. A budgetary provision of Rs. 620 crore has been made for providing grants to gaushalas.
