The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet on Tuesday approved the State Livestock Mission, under which livestock farmers purchasing eligible indigenous cows will receive a subsidy of Rs 40,000 per animal, while the state government will bear 85 per cent of the livestock insurance premium.

Briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting with senior minister Suresh Kumar Khanna, Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Minister Dharmpal Singh said the mission aims to generate employment, promote livestock-based enterprises, increase productivity and improve market access for animal products.

"Uttar Pradesh is the leading state in the country in livestock rearing and milk production. It also holds a leading position in the production of eggs, wool and meat," Singh said.

"Despite this, the sector faces several problems, including low productivity, fragmented market arrangements, inadequate value addition, lack of traceability and tracking, and weak digital management," he added.

Under the scheme, farmers purchasing eligible indigenous cattle breeds, including Sahiwal, Gir, Hariana, Tharparkar and Gangatiri, will be entitled to a subsidy of Rs 40,000 per animal. Those purchasing two such cows will receive Rs 80,000 in assistance, Singh said.

"We are bringing this scheme specifically for indigenous cows. If someone purchases two indigenous cows of the specified breeds from another state, the government will provide a subsidy of Rs 40,000 per cow," the minister said.

The scheme will also provide livestock insurance, with the state government bearing 85 per cent of the premium and the livestock owner paying the remaining 15 per cent.

"Earlier, insurance was not available. Now, the Uttar Pradesh government will also provide insurance coverage, with the government bearing 85 per cent and the livestock owner contributing only 15 per cent," Singh said.

He said the mission would promote goat rearing, poultry farming, piggery and sheep rearing, apart from improving cattle breeds through artificial insemination and other interventions.

"The objective of the State Livestock Mission is to generate employment, develop enterprises and increase livestock productivity. It will also promote the production of milk, wool and other livestock products and help provide markets for them," Singh said.

Referring to the Centre's National Livestock Mission (NLM), he said the Uttar Pradesh government had introduced the State Livestock Mission (SLM), which received Cabinet approval on Tuesday.

Singh said the initiative was aimed at increasing farmers' incomes by supplementing earnings from agriculture with livestock-based activities.

"Farmers' incomes will not double through agriculture alone; animal husbandry can also contribute to doubling their income," he said, referring to the objective of improving farm incomes.

Citing existing assistance for poultry farming, Singh said beneficiaries were provided 100 chicks free of cost to help them start small-scale poultry-rearing activities and earn additional income.

He also said the mission would focus on improving the productivity of indigenous cattle breeds, citing Sahiwal, Gir, Hariana and Gangatiri cows as examples of breeds being promoted for higher milk yields.

Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna, who led the briefing, said the Cabinet had approved all 22 proposals placed before it on Tuesday.

He said one proposal each had been moved by Singh and Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Stamp and Court Fee and Registration Ravindra Jaiswal.

Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Transport Dayashankar Singh was also present at the briefing.

Source - https://www.awazthevoice.in