Yogi Govt Launches Nandini Krishak Samriddhi Yojana Offering 50% Subsidy on Starting Dairy Farm

In a significant move to bolster the dairy industry and enhance the income of dairy farmers, the Uttar Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has unveiled the Nandini Krishak Samriddhi Yojana. This ambitious initiative, part of the Nand Baba Mission, is geared towards improving cattle breeds and increasing milk production across the state.

Under the Nandini Krishak Samriddhi Yojana, the government has included the Sahiwal, Gir, Tharparkar, and Gangatiri breeds of milch cows. To encourage dairy farming, the government has allocated an estimated cost of Rs 62.5 lakh for establishing a unit of 25 milch cows under the scheme. In a significant boost to aspiring dairy farmers, the government will provide a substantial 50% subsidy on the total expenses, amounting to a maximum of Rs 31.25 lakh for each beneficiary.

In the initial phase of the program, the Yogi government will extend subsidies to individuals setting up 35 units of 25 milch cows. This subsidy encompasses the purchase of cows, their conservation, and maintenance. The subsidy will be disbursed in three phases, offering financial support at various stages of cattle farming.

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Moreover, during the initial phase, the scheme will be implemented in ten divisional headquarters across the state, including Ayodhya, Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Lucknow, Kanpur, Jhansi, Meerut, Agra, and Bareilly.

The benefits of the Nandini Krishak Samriddhi Yojana will be provided in three phases. In the first phase, beneficiaries will receive a 25% subsidy on the project cost to support unit construction. Subsequently, in the second phase, a 12.5% subsidy will be granted for the purchase of 25 milch cows, their 3-year insurance, and transportation expenses. The remaining 12.5% of the project cost will be provided as a subsidy in the third phase.

Speaking on the initiative, Dairy Commissioner and Mission Director, Shashi Bhushan Lal Sushil, highlighted that while Uttar Pradesh leads in overall milk production in the country, the per-animal milk production in the state remains comparatively low. The scarcity of high-quality milch animals in the region is a primary factor contributing to this disparity. To bridge this gap and establish more units specializing in superior milch cow breeds, the Nandini Krishak Samriddhi Yojana has been launched.

Beneficiaries must meet specific criteria to avail themselves of the scheme's benefits. They must possess a minimum of three years of experience in cattle farming, ensure ear-tagging for their cattle, and possess at least 0.5 acres of land for establishing the unit. Additionally, approximately 1.5 acres of land for green fodder is required, which may be either owned or leased for a period of seven years. Notably, beneficiaries of previously operated Kamdhenu, Mini Kamdhenu, and Micro Kamdhenu schemes will not be eligible for this new initiative.

The selection of beneficiaries will be carried out through a combination of online and offline application methods. In cases where the number of applications is substantial, a committee chaired by the Chief Development Officer will conduct an e-lottery to ensure fairness in the selection process.

The Nandini Krishak Samriddhi Yojana marks a significant step towards uplifting dairy farming in Uttar Pradesh and promises to empower farmers to achieve higher milk production and income levels. This initiative is poised to transform the dairy landscape in the state, bringing prosperity to countless dairy farmers and bolstering the agricultural sector.

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