New Delhi. The National Livestock Mission (NLM), launched in 2014-15, underwent revision and realignment in the 2021-22 financial year. The revamped scheme focuses on employment generation, entrepreneurship development, and enhancing per-animal productivity, thereby aiming to increase the production of meat, goat milk, eggs, and wool under the development programme umbrella. Further modifications were introduced on 21st February 2024, incorporating breed upgradation of camels, horses, and donkeys, along with initiatives for fodder production utilizing wastelands, rangelands, and degraded forest land. The Department has published revised Comprehensive NLM Guidelines in January 2025 and has also finalized the Model DPRs. Both the guidelines and Model DPRs are available on the NLM portal: https://nlm.udyamimitra.in/. It is still too early to assess the impact of components including camels, horses, donkeys, and mules under the scheme on their population.
To promote activities under the realigned NLM, the Department has organized several key events during the current financial year, including the One-Day Event on Camelids in Rajasthan, the First National Goat Conclave: Bakri Maha Kumbh and National Symposium on Policy and Strategies for the Indian Goat Sector in Amrit Kaal in Uttar Pradesh, the Entrepreneurship Development Conclave 2025 in Maharashtra, and the Conclave on the Theme “Dialogue for Holistic Development of the Livestock Sector” in Meghalaya.
Additionally, during Regional Review Meetings, states were advised to submit proposals and enhance awareness regarding these initiatives. Under the National Livestock Mission – Entrepreneurship Development Programme (NLM-EDP), 116 projects with a total project cost of ₹108.26 crore and a subsidy of ₹47.42 crore were approved for 106 individuals, one joint applicant, three FPOs, two cooperatives, one Joint Liability Group, and three Section 8 companies for feed and fodder processing activities, including silage, TMR, hay, and fodder blocks. These projects are at different stages of implementation. The total project cost approved for the Section 8 companies amounts to ₹3.09 crore, with a capital subsidy of ₹1.46 crore.
Under the component “Assistance for Quality Fodder Seed Production” of the NLM scheme, 1.03 lakh tonnes of quality fodder seeds have been produced since 2021-22, with funds amounting to ₹636.83 crore. This is expected to cover approximately 20.63 lakh hectares, leading to an estimated production of 1134.65 lakh metric tonnes of high-quality, nutritious green fodder across the country.
To promote livestock insurance, the beneficiary share of the premium for all categories and areas has been reduced to 15 percent, down from the earlier premium of 20 to 50 percent. The remaining premium is borne by the central and state governments in a 90:10 ratio for hilly and north-eastern states, 60:40 for other states, and 100 percent for union territories.
The Department is actively conducting awareness programs, including seminars, camps, publicity campaigns, and video conferences, to promote livestock insurance. For this purpose, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying is providing financial assistance to state governments. Under the National Livestock Mission scheme, full central assistance is provided to states for awareness and publicity efforts.
Additionally, during Regional Review Meetings, states are advised to enhance insurance coverage. In the current financial year, Rs. 37.92 crore has been released under the livestock insurance activity of the National Livestock Mission, and 21lakh animals have been insured.
This information was given by Union Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, in a written reply in Lok Sabha on 1st April, 2025.
Leave a comment