National Livestock Mission: Animal husbandry is the biggest source of income for farmers in India after farming. The Government of India tries to increase the income of cattle herders with the help of various projects. The positive impact of these efforts is also visible. Keeping this in view, the National Livestock Mission Scheme was started in 2014. The scheme was restructured in 2021-22. Through which emphasis is laid on increasing the income of cattle herders. This scheme was amended by the Central Government on Wednesday (21 February). This will increase the income of the people living in the village.
The Central Government has approved amendments in the National Livestock Mission Scheme by including various activities including providing subsidy up to 50 per cent for setting up enterprises related to horse, donkey, mule and camel. According to the amendment made in the National Livestock Mission Scheme, the Central Government will provide Rs 10 crore for the establishment of semen and breeding farms for horses, donkeys and camels. During the conversation, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur told reporters that the Union Cabinet has approved the inclusion of activities in the National Livestock Mission scheme.
Livestock insurance program even easier
According to the revised National Livestock Mission Scheme, subsidy up to 50 percent will be provided to individuals, farmer producer organizations, self-help groups and 8 stream companies to set up enterprises related to horses, donkeys, mules and camels. Also, assistance will be given to the state government for the conservation of the breeds of horses, donkeys and camels. Work has also been done to simplify the livestock insurance program. For farmers, the beneficiary share in the premium has been reduced to 15 percent, the existing beneficiary share is 20 percent, 30 percent, 40 percent and 50 percent. Anurag Thakur said that the number of animals to be insured has been increased from 5 to 10. According to the official release, this will provide facility to the cattle farmers to get their animals insured by paying minimum amount.
What is National Livestock Mission Scheme
Apart from farming, farmers in rural areas of India depend on animal husbandry for income. Farmers are encouraged by the government to do animal husbandry. National Livestock Mission Scheme is also a similar scheme. This scheme was started in 2014-15. According to this scheme, work is done to improve the nutrition and living standards of livestock rearers and farmers, especially small holders. Under this scheme, emphasis is laid by the government on increasing the income of farmers. The main objectives of this scheme include reducing the gap in demand and availability of feed and fodder, conservation and improvement of indigenous breeds, increasing the production of meat, egg, goat milk, wool.
Apart from this, the aim is to increase livelihood opportunities for landless, small and marginal farmers, increase awareness, and increase socio-economic upliftment of cattle herders. Sheep, goats and pigs are reared on a large scale in rural areas of India. It is profitable for farmers to do this also. By rearing these animals, their waste material provides fertilizer for the fields.
Portal facility also available
The portal is also run by the Central Government for the National Livestock Mission Scheme. It is also necessary to have a portal in the field of animal husbandry. Through this, all the information and facilities related to animal husbandry are provided from a single platform. Through this portal, information about schemes related to livestock, option to apply for subsidy, loan facility to start animal husbandry related work and details of loan giving banks are also given.
According to the National Livestock Mission 2023, subsidy is also provided for rearing poultry and other birds. Also, a grant of up to Rs 50 lakh is given for poultry projects. Under the scheme, work was done to make the citizens working in such areas aware of employment facilities in small ruminant, poultry and piggery sector and fodder sector. Through this mission, attention is given to every citizen doing animal husbandry so that production can be increased.