Patna: The Bihar government is promoting milk production and rural employment through two dairy farming schemes that provide financial assistance and free training to eligible applicants. These schemes aim to help people establish their own dairy businesses, ranging from small units with two to four milch animals to larger units with 15 to 20 animals.
Under the Samagra Gavya Vikas Yojana and the Desi Gau Palan Protsahan Yojana, eligible beneficiaries can receive subsidies of up to 75%, depending on their category and the size of the proposed dairy unit. The schemes also provide free training to help applicants develop the skills required to manage dairy farming operations.
For people planning to start a dairy business in rural Bihar, these initiatives offer an opportunity to explore government support for purchasing animals and setting up a dairy unit.
1. Samagra Gavya Vikas Yojana: Subsidy for Dairy Farming
The Samagra Gavya Vikas Yojana is aimed at encouraging people to establish dairy units and increase milk production in Bihar. Under the scheme, financial assistance is available for setting up dairy units with different numbers of milch animals.
Subsidy Details Under Samagra Gavya Vikas Yojana
The subsidy provisions described for the scheme are as follows:
- For 2 to 4 milch animals: Applicants belonging to the Extremely Backward Classes (EBC), Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) can receive a 75% subsidy.
- For 2 to 4 milch animals in other categories: General-category applicants can receive a 50% subsidy.
- For larger dairy units with 15 to 20 milch animals: Applicants across all categories can receive a subsidy of 40%.
- Maximum subsidy: The assistance for larger units may exceed ₹8 lakh, depending on the approved unit cost and applicable scheme provisions.
The scheme also offers free dairy farming training to applicants who do not have prior experience. This can help prospective dairy farmers understand animal care and the practical requirements of running a dairy business.
2. Desi Gau Palan Protsahan Yojana: Subsidy for Indigenous Cows
The Desi Gau Palan Protsahan Yojana focuses on promoting indigenous cattle breeds and encouraging their conservation in Bihar.
Under this scheme, eligible applicants can receive financial assistance to establish dairy units using indigenous breeds such as Gir, Sahiwal and Tharparkar.
Subsidy Details Under Desi Gau Palan Protsahan Yojana
The subsidy provisions mentioned for the scheme include:
- For 2 to 4 indigenous cows or heifers: EBC, SC and ST applicants can receive a 75% subsidy.
- For 2 to 4 indigenous cows or heifers in other categories: Applicants from other categories can receive a 50% subsidy.
- For larger units with 15 to 20 indigenous cows: Applicants across all categories can receive a 40% subsidy.
- Free training: Training is available to help beneficiaries learn how to manage indigenous cattle and operate a dairy unit.
The scheme is intended to encourage indigenous cattle rearing while supporting rural livelihoods and milk production.
3. Who Can Apply for Bihar Dairy Farming Schemes?
Applicants must meet the eligibility conditions prescribed by the Bihar government. According to the scheme details provided, the key requirements include:
- Residency: The applicant must be a permanent resident of Bihar.
- Age limit: The applicant must be between 18 and 55 years old.
- Land requirement for a 4-animal unit: At least 15 decimals of land must be available for green fodder cultivation.
- Land requirement for a 15–20-animal unit: At least 30 decimals of land must be available for green fodder cultivation.
- Land ownership: The required land may be owned by the applicant or held on lease.
The land requirement is intended to support fodder cultivation for the animals. Applicants should check the current official guidelines to confirm the applicable requirements for their proposed unit.
Who May Get Priority During Selection?
The following applicants may receive priority during the selection process:
- Applicants who have completed training through the relevant department.
- Members of dairy cooperative societies.
- Women associated with Jeevika Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
- Eligible applicants who applied online during the previous three years but did not receive benefits under the scheme.
Priority is subject to the applicable departmental rules and the selection process.
4. Documents Required for Application
Applicants should keep the required documents ready before applying online. The documents listed for the schemes include:
- Aadhaar card.
- Bihar residence certificate.
- Caste certificate, where applicable for reserved-category applicants.
- Copy of bank passbook.
- Land-related documents, such as a Land Possession Certificate (LPC), land revenue receipt or lease agreement.
- Recent passport-size photograph.
- Animal husbandry or dairy farming training certificate, if available or applicable.
Applicants should verify the latest document checklist on the official portal before submitting their applications.
5. How to Apply for Bihar Dairy Farming Subsidy Online
Eligible applicants can visit the Bihar government’s Directorate of Dairy Development website to check the scheme details and apply online.
Official website: dairy.bihar.gov.in
The application and selection process generally involves the following steps:
- Visit the official website: Open the Directorate of Dairy Development, Bihar portal.
- Find the relevant scheme: Look for the Samagra Gavya Vikas Yojana or Desi Gau Palan Protsahan Yojana application link, subject to current availability.
- Complete the online application: Enter the required personal, residential and dairy-unit details.
- Upload the documents: Submit the required identity, residence, bank and land-related documents.
- Submit the application: Review the information and complete the application process.
- Physical verification: The District Dairy Development Officer (DDDO) and the designated team may verify the documents and inspect the proposed site or animal shed.
- Training and selection: Applicants who require training may receive it through the department, subject to the applicable scheme process.
- Approval and financial assistance: After selection and approval, eligible beneficiaries may receive the applicable subsidy and any sanctioned bank loan through the prescribed disbursement process.
Applicants should note that submitting an application does not guarantee selection or subsidy approval. The final benefit depends on eligibility, verification, selection and the current scheme guidelines.
6. How Are the Subsidy and Bank Loan Provided?
After the application has been submitted, the concerned department verifies the applicant’s documents and the proposed dairy unit’s location.
Applicants who have not completed the required dairy farming training may be provided with free training under the scheme’s provisions.
Following selection and approval, financial assistance is processed according to the approved unit size, applicable subsidy rate and scheme rules. Where a bank loan is sanctioned as part of the financing arrangement, the loan and subsidy are handled through the prescribed process, with eligible assistance disbursed through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), as applicable.
Applicants should confirm the current subsidy limits, bank-loan requirements, application dates and disbursement conditions on the official website or with the District Dairy Development Officer before making financial commitments.
The Bihar government’s Samagra Gavya Vikas Yojana and Desi Gau Palan Protsahan Yojana aim to promote dairy farming, indigenous cattle rearing and rural employment. With subsidies of up to 75% for eligible applicants, support for larger dairy units and free training provisions, the schemes may help residents explore dairy farming as a livelihood option.
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