GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 22nd Feb. The Union Cabinet has given the nod to additional modifications to the National Livestock Mission (NLM), aimed at enhancing livestock-related entrepreneurship and fodder cultivation across the country.
Key modifications approved include:
1. Entrepreneurship Development for Equine and Camel Sector: Individuals, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Joint Liability Groups (JLGs), Farmer Collectives Organizations (FCOs), and Section 8 companies will receive a 50% capital subsidy up to Rs. 50 lakhs for establishing entrepreneurship ventures related to horses, donkeys, mules, and camels. Additionally, state governments will be supported for breed conservation of these animals, with the central government allocating Rs. 10 crore for the establishment of semen stations and nucleus breeding farms.
2. Fodder Seed Processing Infrastructure: Private companies, startups, SHGs, FPOs, FCOs, JLGs, and Farmers Cooperative Societies (FCOs) will be eligible for a 50% capital subsidy up to Rs. 50 lakhs for establishing fodder seed processing infrastructure, including processing and grading units, fodder storage godowns, and other necessary infrastructure.
3. Assistance for Fodder Cultivation: State governments will receive assistance for fostering fodder cultivation in non-forest lands, waste lands, range lands, non-arable lands, and degraded forest lands. This initiative aims to increase fodder availability in the country.
4. Simplification of Livestock Insurance: The livestock insurance program has been streamlined, reducing the beneficiary share of the premium for farmers to 15%. The remaining premium amount will be shared by the Centre and the State at a ratio of 60:40 for all states and 90:10 for the North-Eastern Region. Additionally, the number of animals eligible for insurance has been doubled to 10 cattle units.
Background:
The NLM, initiated in 2014-15 with four Sub-Missions, was re-aligned in 2021-22 and approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in July 2021 with an outlay of Rs. 2300 crore. The re-aligned NLM now comprises three Sub-Missions targeting breed improvement, feed and fodder development, research, innovation, and extension activities. With a focus on entrepreneurship development and innovation, the NLM aims to boost the livestock sector and improve the livelihoods of farmers across the country.
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