Livestock Farming Scheme at 50% Subsidy for Marathwada Farmers

Aurangabad: The state animal husbandry department has announced a scheme in which Marathwada farmers, in which they will get separate units of livestock comprising goats, cows and buffaloes at 50 % subsidy.

These initiatives are taken to offer an alternative source of income to the peasant community from the region that has witnessed a large number of suicide cases. This pilot scheme will be shortly launched in Jalna district shortly for farmers from both open and reserved categories, also women will get 30% reservation and the physically challenged 3%.

This decision was taken by the government in the wake of deficient rainfall in the region. "Dairy production and sale of goat meat can earn good income for farmers," S S Rautmare, regional joint director of the animal husbandry department, Aurangabad.

In Jalna district alone around 3,000 farmers are likely to benefit from the scheme. For the pilot launch, the government has planned to spend Rs 23.6 crore. Marathwada farmers would be empowered through a special livestock farming scheme, said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, in post-October 4 cabinet meeting.

There will be a unit each of goats and cows/buffaloes. Jayaji Suryawanshi said,"Offering only 50 per cent subsidy and that too in a phased manner is not going to serve any purpose. Several farmers from the region are broke and cannot raise initial capital. The government should have offered at least 75 per cent subsidy."

Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/