Govt subsidies helping promote indigenous cow breeds, boost milk prodn

Lucknow: The state govt has launched four schemes and is providing subsidies to promote indigenous cow breeds and increase milk production in the state, additional chief secretary, animal husbandry, Mukesh Meshram said.Meshram said the schemes aimed to strengthen the rural economy and promote dairy farming.“Under the Nandini and Mini Nandini schemes, up to 50% subsidy is being provided for dairy units. The financial model includes 15% beneficiary contribution, 35% bank loan and up to 50% govt subsidy. Under the Mukhyamantri Swadeshi Gau Samvardhan Yojana, subsidy of up to Rs 80,000 is being provided for a two-cow unit,” he said.Under the Mukhyamantri Swadeshi Gau Samvardhan Yojana, subsidy of up to Rs 80,000 is being provided for a two-cow unit.The govt is also promoting indigenous breeds such as Gir, Sahiwal and Gangatiri. Under the Mukhyamantri Pragatisheel Pashupalak Protsahan Yojana, cattle rearers maintaining indigenous breeds with higher milk yield are being given incentives of Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000, Meshram said.Meshram said more than 1,500 units have been established under the Mukhyamantri Swadeshi Gau Samvardhan Yojana and more than 7,500 beneficiaries have received incentives under the Pragatisheel Pashupalak Protsahan Yojana.He said 72 dairy units have been set up under the Nandini scheme and 245 under the Mini Nandini scheme.