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.
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