New Paradigm In Animal Husbandry

Context: Recently announced Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) would create a new paradigm in animal husbandry that will bring social, economic, and nutritional benefits.

New paradigm in animal husbandry: AHIDF that will provide a boost to the sector - 

• Provides financial support: an outlay of Rs 15,000 crore and provides an interest subvention of 3% for all eligible entities:
• Udyami Mitra Portal: for submitting project proposals.
• Includes a diverse set of stakeholders: such as Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), private dairy players, individual entrepreneurs, and non-profits within its ambit.
• Will support the establishment of animal feed plants: including setting up of mineral mixture plants, silage making units, and animal feed testing laboratory. 
• Will help realize investment potential: with a potential investment opportunity of Rs 1,40,000 crore.
• Socio-economic relevance: As an allied industry of agriculture, the animal husbandry and dairy sector collectively employ more than 100 million people, mostly in rural areas.
  • Employment potential: AHIDF has the potential to create over 30 lakh jobs.
• Increased innovation: Ministry, in collaboration with Invest India, has invited ideas from domestic start­ups for the development of new varieties of green fodder and enriched animal feed.
• Nutritional benefits: 
  • Chicken meat (India is the 4th largest producer) provides the cheapest source of protein per unit.
  • Eggs (India is 2nd largest producer), as part of mid-day meal, are linked with social justice outcomes.
• Tackle climate change: Enhanced infrastructure can make processing units more energy-efficient and help mitigate their carbon footprint.