The Union Cabinet, led by the Prime Minister, has approved the extension of the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) under the Infrastructure Development Fund (IDF) for an additional three years until 2025-26. The scheme, with a budget of Rs.29,610.25 crore, aims to encourage investments in various sectors such as Dairy processing, Meat processing, Animal Feed Plants, Breed multiplication farms, Animal Waste to Wealth Management (Agriculture waste management), and Veterinary vaccine and drug production facilities. This Notification was published on 01.02.2024.
The Government of India is introducing a significant initiative to boost the Animal Husbandry sector through the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF). This scheme offers a 3% interest subvention for 8 years, with a two-year moratorium, for loans up to 90% from scheduled banks and institutions like NCDC, NABARD, and NDDB. Eligible entities include individuals, private companies, FPOs, MSMEs, and Section 8 companies. Dairy cooperatives will now benefit from this scheme for the modernization and strengthening of dairy plants. Additionally, the government will provide a credit guarantee of up to 25% from the Credit Guarantee Fund of Rs.750 crore for MSMEs and Dairy Cooperatives. Since its inception, the AHIDF has made a substantial impact, adding significant capacities to the supply chain in milk, feed, and meat processing. The scheme has increased processing capacity by 2-4% in the dairy, meat, and animal feed sectors. The Animal Husbandry sector offers attractive investment opportunities, including value addition, cold chain integration, and technologically assisted livestock and poultry farms. With the inclusion of new activities like breed multiplication farms, veterinary drugs and vaccine units, and animal waste management, the scheme becomes a catalyst for infrastructure development in the Livestock sector. The AHIDF aims to generate employment for approximately 35 lakh people directly and indirectly through entrepreneurship development, contributing to wealth creation in the livestock sector. Currently, the scheme has benefited around 15 lakh farmers, aligning with the Prime Minister’s goal of doubling farmers’ income. The AHIDF not only leverages private investment but also encourages farmers to invest more in inputs, driving higher productivity and increasing farmers’ income. By promoting the export of livestock products, the scheme becomes a crucial contributor to the nation’s economy.
