Maharashtra to give up to 75 percent subsidy for livestock business

Since farming alone leaves families exposed to droughts and poor prices, the Maharashtra government has launched the Mukhyamantri Gramin Pashudhan Udyojakta Yojana. The scheme allows people to start their own business in cattle, buffalo or goat rearing, or poultry farming, with the government providing 50 percent to 75 percent of the funds. This means more than half the cost is covered.

Those who want to take up animal husbandry alongside farming can get a subsidy under this scheme. A cattle or buffalo shed can be set up housing a group of 2, 4 or 6 animals. For goat and sheep rearing, a project of 50 goats and 5 bucks can be undertaken. Similarly, a poultry farm can be started under the scheme. Its biggest benefit is a daily income: even if a crop fails, money from milk, eggs or meat comes in every day. Those without their own land can also apply by taking a place on rent.

There is no need to visit any office to apply, as the entire process is online through the MahaDBT 2.0 portal. Applicants must log in at mahadbt.maharashtra.gov.in using their Maha ID or Aadhaar number. After entering the OTP sent to their mobile, a list of all schemes appears, from which they must select the Mukhyamantri Gramin Pashudhan Udyojakta Yojana under the Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Department. They then fill in personal, land and bank details, upload documents and submit the application.

The application requires an Aadhaar card linked to a mobile number, voter ID card, passport photo, residence certificate, ration card, 7/12 and 8-A land extracts, and a passbook of a nationalised bank account linked to Aadhaar. Those without land must submit a 5-year rent agreement or a landless certificate. Also required are a small landholder certificate, Farmer ID, a training certificate if animal husbandry training has been taken, and an affidavit stating the applicant has not had more than 3 children after September 12, 2001.

The subsidy percentage differs by category. The general category gets 50 percent subsidy, with the remaining 50 percent to be paid by the applicant. The SC/ST category gets 75 percent subsidy, paying only 25 percent themselves. Women, persons with disabilities and small landholder farmers are given priority and can get up to 75 percent subsidy.

For example, a goat rearing project (50 goats plus 5 bucks) costs 4 to 6 lakh rupees. Under this, the general category would get a subsidy of 2 to 3 lakh rupees, while the SC/ST category would get 3 to 4.5 lakh rupees. A cattle or buffalo group costs 2 to 8.5 lakh rupees, for which the general category would get a subsidy of 1 to 4.25 lakh rupees and the SC/ST category 1.5 to 6.37 lakh rupees.

There are no middlemen involved in the scheme. The subsidy amount is credited directly to the applicant's Aadhaar-linked bank account through DBT. Even with limited land, those determined to make it work say they can earn 30,000 to 40,000 rupees a month from the business.