M Aamir Khan
Srinagar: If you want to set up a dairy farm, pasteurization, and packing unit, or a milk ATM, the government has got attractive schemes to offer. And if you are a woman, you will get higher subsidies for starting dairy-related start-ups.
As per the latest revised operational guidelines of the Integrated Dairy Development Scheme (2022-23), the government will be making efforts to cover 20 percent SC/ST and 10 percent women beneficiaries.
Additionally, women will get 10 to 20 percent higher subsidies as compared to men while availing the benefits of the scheme.
“Integrated Dairy Development Scheme for the year 2022-23 is now operational. Women get higher subsidies to the tune of 10 to 20 percent under the scheme. The government is making efforts to cover 20 per cent SC/ ST and 10 per cent women beneficiaries. Women have already shown good response to the scheme. We are confident that more women will exhibit a positive response,” Block Veterinary Officer, Batpora, Dr. Anjum Andrabi told The Kashmir Monitor.
Andrabi, who also happens to be the country’s first ‘Livestock Advisor’ certified by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi and MANAGE, Hyderabad, said not just the women but the youth at large can avail the benefits under the scheme.
Giving details of the options available, Andrabi said “Farmers or entrepreneurs are encouraged to avail benefits of 50% reimbursement of bills under the scheme for procurement of dairy-related items like dairy cows (between 2 to 20 – in multiples of two), milking machines, bulk milk coolers/ AMCUs, milk pasteurization, and packing units, cheese making machines, khoya/ curd making machines, ice-cream, and softy making machines, milk ATMs and many other components.”
As per the notification issued by Assistant Director P&S, Animal/ Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries Department Madan Lal, a 50 percent subsidy will be released two weeks after the submission of the invoice.
“Once the beneficiary has procured the equipment or unit of animals, 50% of total eligible subsidy amount or maximum ceiling, whichever is less, will be released upon submission of duly verified invoice to the Directorate of Animal Husbandry through concerned CAHO. Balance 50% subsidy will be released after physical verification by a team constituted by the CAHO concerned for the purpose. Such verification will be carried out within 15 days of the submission of invoice and intimation that the unit has been established or equipment has been procured, installed, and commissioned,” it said.
